Mercurius

Authorities. 84, Dr. Golden, Lancet, 1853 (2), p. 231, effects on a silverer; 85, H. J. Franks, ibid., p. 317, same; 86, Dr. H. Jackson, Med. Times and Gaz., 1877 (1), p. 641, effects on a man employed in amalgamating zinc plates with Mercury; 87, T. Pratt, M.D., Hahn. Month., vol. xiii, 1878, p. 472, prescribed a powder of Sj'^th trit., every three hours, for a severe cold in the head, in the second stage.

Alter he had taken the fourth powder I was summoned to see him, when he informed me that the catarrhal symptoms were much improved, but he was then having a most violent facial neuralgia on the right side, originating in the dental nerve, and radiating upwards over the side of the face. This he first felt after taking the second dose, and immediately after each of the two last the aggravation was marked and intense, so much so, that he felt that he could not take another"dose. I discontinued the remedy and the difficulty soon subsided,—His teeth, which are carious, are becoming loose; there is a white line, from undue epithelial secretions, at the margin of the gums; there are great tremors, approaching to paralysis, and an indecision in speaking, resembling stammering. He has lost two stone weight during the last two years. The tongue is wavy from nervous debility, and he suffers from nocturnal perspirations; memory is rather failing, and appetite is bad,®^—Pale, weak, and anxious-looking, with a slow but regular pulse ; tongue furred ; teeth mostly greenish black and carious; skin generally dry and cold. He could not walk at all, hardly speak, and when he attempted to move, or was asked a question, his whole frame was thrown into the most immoderate convulsive actions,*'.—Old-looking for his age; thin and pale; sallow, but not to an extreme degree. Has slight blue line along lower gums. Teeth, lower incisors, pegged, flattened at the top, the centre brown, the enamel everywhere deficient. All of them chipped and decayed. Mental condition defective. He cannot give a history of his illness. To every question about it, answer only, “Mercury.” 4Vhen pressed about it, says, “Too much is expected of him,” and he begins to sob and ciy. Cries with the least excitement. He cannot remember his age to within ten years. Speech very thick; the words are drawded out, but he often fails to complete them. After he has been talking a little time, articulation becomes less and less distinct, apparently from defective control over the muscles. Tremors; when he is not talking the face is tranquil, but directly he begins to speak all the face muscles become tremulous. When told to open his mouth he gets marked tremor of muscles of mastication. Tongue very tremulous when protruded ; no nystagmus. Coarse tremor of whole right upper limb elicited on movement. Lower limbs: Able to walk a mile fairly well, but no more. No trembling of legs when he stands or walks. Staggers when eyes are closed; would fall unless prevented. When sitting in a chair, and told to raise the right leg off' the ground, there is coarse tremor in the whole limb,*®.