Mercurius Methylenus

Mercuric methide Hg(CH3)2.

Authorities. 1, Dr. Geo. N. Edwards, St. Bartholomew’s Hosp. Rep., 1865, p. 141, a man (who sometimes had epileptic fits) was engaged in the preparation of Mercuric methide; 2, same, T. S., employed in same business.

Mind

Moves his arms about apparently without object, and in an idiotic manner; at times is even violent, shrieking out, making loud incoherent noises, or laughing or crying in an idiotic manner; occasionally makes efforts to get out of bed

Head

Giddiness

Eyes

A dark margin around his eyes

Some inflammation of both conjunctiva£E, with a muco-purulent discharge

Fapil. Pupils dilated

Pupils dilated, but act equally to light, conjuctiva rather injected, sclerotics slightly yellow

Pupils dilated at one time, at another contracted,h

f ifiioil Impairment of sight,h

Sight slightly impaired

Dimness of vision, pain and redness of the eyes

Deafness; it is with difficulty that he understands what is said

Lost his hearing

Nose p. 291

Power of smell much impaired

Face p. 291

Expression very vacant

Countenance pale and sunken; afterwards also dusky; later flushed

Cheeks sometimes flushed, sometimes pale

Mouth p. 291

Teeth. Teeth and lips dry, covered with sordes

(xitnis. Gums rather spongy, and of whitish color; lips dry,l

Gums spongy and swollen

Gums became sore

Tongue. Soreness of gums and looseness of teeth

Tongue coated and moist

Tongue coated with a yellowish fur

Tongue moist, coated on the dorsum with a white fur, red at tip and edges,l

Tongue numb,l

Snliva. He was observed to spit and wipe his mouth very often,l

Tfiste. Nasty taste in his mouth, like brass,I

Taste became imperfect, all things tasting alike

Sj^eecJl. Powers of speech much impaired

Makes constant efforts to speak, but only utters incoherent noises

Throat p. 291

Swallows with difficulty

Stomach p. 291

Refuses to take nourishment, and struggles and becomes furious upon any attempt being made to force him to drink

Nausea and vomiting, the vomited matters being greenish and watery

Abdomen p. 291

Some pain in the right hypochondrium on pressure

Stool p. 291

Diawheea. Passes all his evacuations beneath him

Bowels open, motions dark-colored, fluid, mixed with scybala

Const- XKltion. Bowels generally confined

Bowels not opened for five days

Urinary Organs p. 291

Urine passed involuntarily

Urine pale, slightly turbid, acid, sp. gr. 1018, containing a considerable quantity of albumen, and showing renal epithelium and granules under the microscope; afterwards passed in bed and very offensive

Respiratory Organs p. 291

Breath offensive

Odor of his breath and body very offensive

Distinct mercurial fetor in his breath

Breathing sometimes seems to cease altogether for a few seconds, and then to become quick and stertorous

Extremities in General p. 291

Violent movements of his limbs, much increased on tickling his feet

The left wrist is rather rigid, and the left knee almost completely so; he never bends it voluntarily, but it can be slightly bent by using considerable force; later there is no sensation of or motion in the left leg, which is extended, rigid at the knee, and the foot tinned slightly inward; sensation is also somewhat impaired in the left hand

He can move his limbs perfectly, but slowly; can grasp only very imperfectly, and takes some time to close his hands; he dragged his legs after him in walking; lost the power of bringing his hands directly to the point that he wishes

Superior Extremities p. 291

Fingers drawn together, and stretched out unnaturally

Numbness of the hands

general Symptoms.

Great weakness

Too weak to walk out

So restless and noisy that his hands had to be strapped to the bedstead ; attempts to start up in bed, and utters incoherent noises at frequent intervals

Sensation less than natural, though he is aware when his hands and feet are touched ; the latter feel warm to himself, although they appear cold to others

Skin p. 292

The skin over the sacrum is red,I

Sleep p. 292

Restless nights,h

Sometimes sleeps well, but is often restless at night,k

Fever p. 292

Cold hands

Skin generally warm and dry, that of hands and feet cold,k