Mercury as Medicine

an old ivory pillbox

by Moreh

Ivory Travelling Medicine Container

1800’s, five barrels with inscription:
- Pil: Hydrarg
- Pil: Hydro:Chlor
- Pil: Aperiens
- Pil: Antim: PT
- Pil: Ancdyn

Dimensions: 70 mm high, ⌀ 25 mm
Weight: 29 g.

Hydrargyrum

Hydrargyrum is the older name of mercury (symbol Hg). It originates from Ancient Greek and translates as “silver water,” which refers to the liquid state of this metal at room termperature and its shiny silvery appearance. It was used medicinally by the Arabs, from whom the Europeans derived a knowledge of it through the Moors of Spain. Its general introduction into medical use is ascribed (perhaps wrongly) to Paracelsus (died 1541).

No drug, not even Opium, is in so constant and universal use among medical practitioners of the old school as Mercury and like every other drug, it has, or had, its proper place in the treatment of disease. The container of ivory pillbox with the inscription “Pil: Hydrarg” still contains traces of the red powder that was once used as medicine.

Medicinal Forms

Mercury has been and is used in various forms. Ten examples, out of many are:

1. Metallic Mercury, Hydrargyrum.
  Mercurius vivus of Hahnemann, prepared for use by homeopathicians, by triturating Hydrargyrum with Milk Sugar, according to the rules of the Homeopathic Pharmacy, until the required attenuation is reached.

  2. Hydrargyrum cum creta. Mercury with chalk. Trituration 3 oz. H. to 5 oz.

  3. Pillulae Hydrargyria. Blue pill. Blue mass. Mercury 1 oz., confection of roses ii oz., pow dered liquorice root J oz.   Then there are combinations of (metallic Mercury with fats, for external use.

  4. Unguentum Hydrargyri. Mercury 2 lbs., lard 23 oz., suet 1 oz.

  5. Black oxide, protoxide; the precipitate in black wash.

  6. The Hydrargyri oxydum rubrum: Red deutoxide. Red precipitate, used chiefly in the red precipitate ointment.

  7. Black sulphuret, or Ethiop’s mineral.

  8. Red sulphuret, bisulphuret; cinnabar.

  9. Dichloride, Subchloride; Hydrargyri Chloridum mite; mild chloride of Mercury; Calomelanos; calomel; prepared by treating a sulphate of the protoxide of Mercury with chloride of Sodium,—two atoms of Mercury and one of chlorine.
  Its English name, calomel, which signifies “beautiful black,” is said to have been given it by Sir Theodore Mayerne, in compliment to a negro who assisted him in preparing it.
  The officinal compound cathartic pill contains calomel, with compound extract of colocynth, extract jalap and gamboge.

  10. Hydrargyri chloridum corrosivum ; “bichloride of Mercury”; corrosive sublimate. Generally regarded as a bichloride, but really a chloride. An acrid poison of great activity, forming a scarlet precipitate with iodide of potassium, and insoluble compounds with albumen and fibrine.

Mercurialism

Modern medical science confirms that mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal with profound, systemic effects on the human body. It permeates virtually every tissue and organ, disrupting cellular function through mechanisms like oxidative stress, enzyme inhibition, and interference with proteins containing thiol groups. Chronic exposure leads to widespread damage, including severe neurological impairment (tremors, memory loss, cognitive deficits, irritability, motor dysfunction), kidney toxicity (proteinuria, tubular necrosis, potential failure), immune system alterations, cardiovascular changes, skin lesions, and reproductive/developmental harm — especially devastating to fetuses and young children via prenatal or early-life exposure.

These effects align with historical observations of mercurialism from medicinal, occupational, or environmental sources: profuse and altered secretions (e.g., excessive, foul saliva), destructive ulceration of mucous membranes and skin, glandular and bone destruction, profound exhaustion, metallic taste, fetid breath, sallow complexion, and a characteristic "mercurial tremor." The metal's remarkable persistence — detectable in tissues, fluids, and even excreted years after exposure — underscores its bioaccumulative and long-lasting nature.

Contemporary consensus classifies mercury as one of the top ten chemicals of major public health concern. Organic forms like methylmercury (from contaminated fish) and inorganic salts pose the greatest risks today, while elemental mercury vapor remains hazardous in industrial or accidental settings.

Warning

Mercury is no longer considered safe for therapeutic use in conventional medicine. Its historical applications (e.g., in ointments, pills, or dental amalgams) have been largely discontinued due to unacceptable toxicity risks. International agreements like the Minamata Convention (with amendments prohibiting certain mercury-containing products after 2025) aim to phase out remaining uses. Avoid any exposure to mercury-containing products, traditional remedies, or unregulated cosmetics (especially skin-lightening creams). Seek immediate medical evaluation for suspected exposure, as chelation therapy may be required in severe cases.

In homeopathic preparations (such as Mercurius solubilis), extreme dilutions render the remedy free of detectable mercury, making it non-toxic according to homeopathic principles. However, these are used solely on the basis of symptom similarity and do not reflect the dangers of actual mercury exposure. Modern healthcare prioritizes prevention, safer alternatives, and environmental controls to minimize all forms of mercury risk.