DIVISION II.-SPECIFICS. THESE drugs are unnatural to the system, though acting specifically, and in some unknown way, against certain diseases or morbid conditions. They are given with a view to influencing the course of the disease itself, not for their effect upon the symptoms alone. If administered for any length of time, there is danger of causing an artificial disease, because of the characteristic action of these medicines, which differs essentially from their remedial influence. When used as specifics they do not produce or relieve symptoms, except by renewal of health or by removing either the pathological condition or the disease. Whenever, therefore, these drugs produce symptoms when used specifically, it is a sign that they are contraindicated, or have been given for too long a time, or in too large doses. As they are unnatural, and consequently more or less poisonous to the system, their administration should be accompanied by restoratives to lessen their tendency to untoward manifestations and systemic depression. Mercury, being perhaps the most typical specific, will be first considered. Hydrǎrgyrum-Hydrǎrgyri-Mercury. U. S. P. (QUICKSILVER.) Origin. The knowledge of this drug antedates the Christian It is found in Spain, Austria, Peru, and China, but is obtained principally from New Almaden, California. It occurs to some extent in the metallic state in the form of minute or large globules; also in combination with oxygen, chlorine, selenium, etc.; but the principal ore from which it is extracted is cinnabar. Description and Properties.-A shining, silver-white metal, without odor or taste. It is liquid at the ordinary temperature, and easily divisible into spherical globules; but when cooled to -39.38° C. (-38.88° F.), it forms a ductile, malleable mass. Specific gravity, 13.5584 at 15° C. (59° F.). Insoluble in the ordinary solvents, also in concentrated hydrochloric acid, and, at common temperatures, in sulphuric acid, but dissolving in the latter when boiled with it, and readily and completely soluble in nitric acid. Mercury should be kept in strong, well-stoppered bottles. Dose. Mercury is seldom given internally except in the modified form of blue pill. Hydrargyrum Ammoniātum-Hydrǎrgyri Ammoniāti-Ammoniated Mercury. U. S. P. Origin.-Prepared by mixing solutions of Ammonia and Corrosive Mercuric Chloride. Filter and wash the precipitated ammoniated mercury. Description and Properties.-White, pulverulent pieces, or white, amorphous powder, without odor, and having an earthy, and afterward styptic and metallic taste. Permanent in the air. Almost insoluble in water or in alcohol. It should be kept in wellstoppered bottles, protected from the light. Official Preparation. Used externally. Unguentum Hydrargyri Ammoniāti—Unguenti Hydrargyri AmmoniātiOintment of Ammoniated Mercury.-Formula: Ammoniated Mercury, 10; Benzoinated Lard, 90 parts. For external use. Hydrargyrum cum Crēta-Hydrargyri cum CrētaMercury with Chalk. U. S. P. Origin. Obtained by trituration of Mercury, Prepared Chalk, Clarified Honey, and Water. Description and Properties.-A light gray, rather damp powder, free from grittiness, without odor, and having a slightly sweetish taste. It contains 38 per cent. of mercury. This preparation should be kept in well-stoppered bottles, protected from light. Dose.-3-10 grains (0.18–0.6 Gm.). Mǎssa Hydrǎrgyri-Mǎssæ Hydrargyri-Mass of Mercury. U. S. P. (PILULA HYDRARGYRI-BLUE MASS-BLUE PILL.) Composed of Mercury, Glycyrrhiza, Althæa, Glycerin, and Honey of Rose. Dose.--10 grains (0.03-0.6 Gm.). Unguĕntum Hydrargyri - Unguĕnti HydrǎrgyriMercurial Ointment. U. S. P. (BLUE OINTMENT.) Composition: Mercury, Lard, Suet, and Oleate of Mercury. Used externally. Emplǎstrum Ammoniaci cum Hydrǎrgyro-Emplăstrum (acc.) Ammoniaci cum Hydrargyro-Ammoniac Plaster with Mercury. U. S. P. Composition: Ammoniac, Mercury, Oleate of Mercury, Diluted Acetic Acid, and Lead Plaster. Used externally. Emplǎstrum Hydrargyri-Emplăstri HydrargyriMercurial Plaster. U.S. P. Composition: Mercury, Oleate of Mercury, and Lead Plaster. Used externally. Hydrargyri Chloridum Corrosivum - Hydrargyri Chloridi Corrosivi-Corrosive Mercuric Chloride. U.S. P. (CORROSIVE CHLORIDE OF MERCURY-CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE.) Origin.—Prepared by heating a mixture of Mercuric Sulphate, Sodium Chlorate, and Manganese Dioxide. The corrosive chloride sublimes and is condensed. Description and Properties.-Heavy, colorless, rhombic crystals or crystalline masses; odorless and having an acrid and persistent metallic taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble in 16 parts of water, in 3 parts of alcohol, in 2 parts of boiling water, in 1.2 parts of boiling alcohol, in 4 parts of ether, and in about 14 parts of glycerin. It should be kept in well-stoppered bottles. Dose.grain (0.001-0.008 Gm.). Hydrargyri Chlōridum Mīte - Hydrǎrgyri Chlōridi Mitis-Mild Mercurous Chloride. U. S. P. (CALOMEL-MILd Chloride of MERCURY.) Origin.—Obtained by triturating Mercuric Sulphate, Mercury, Sodium Chloride, and boiling Distilled Water. the sublimed calomel with boiling distilled water. Sublime, and wash Description and Properties.—A white, impalpable powder, becoming yellowish-white on being triturated with strong pressure. It is odorless and tasteless, and permanent in the air. Insoluble in water, alcohol, or ether, and also in cold, diluted acids. When strongly heated it is wholly volatilized, without melting. Calomel should be kept in dark, amber-colored bottles. Dose.-3-10 grains (0.002-0.6 Gm.). Official Preparations. Pilulæ Antimōnii Compositæ-Pilulas (acc.) Antimōnii Compŏsitas–Com. pound Pills of Antimony.-Dose, 1 or 2 pills. Pilulæ Catharticæ Compositæ-Pilulas (acc.) Cathărticas Compõsitas– Compound Cathartic Pills.—Dose, 1 to 3 pills. Hydrargyri Cyănidum-Hydrǎrgyri Cyǎnidi-Mercuric Cyanide. U. S. P. Origin. It may be obtained by boiling pure Ferrocyanide of Iron with Mercuric Oxide; the mercuric cyanide, entering into solution, is separated by filtration, evaporization, and crystallization from diluted alcohol. Description and Properties.-Colorless or white prismatic crystals; odorless, and having a bitter, metallic taste (the salt is exceedingly poisonous), becoming dark-colored on exposure to light. Soluble in 12.8 parts of water and in 15 parts of alcohol. Dose-grain (0.0006-0.004 Gm.). Hydrargyri lōdidum Flāvum-Hydrargyri lōdidi Origin. Prepared by mixing solutions of Potassium Iodide and Mercurous Nitrate with Nitric Acid and Distilled Water. The precipitate is washed and dried. Description and Properties.-A bright yellow amorphous powder, odorless and tasteless. By exposure to light it becomes darker in proportion as it undergoes decomposition into metallic mercury and mercuric iodide. Almost insoluble in water, and wholly insoluble in alcohol or ether. It should be kept in dark, amber-colored vials, with the least possible exposure to light. Dose.-grain (0.01-0.03 Gm.). Hydrargyri lōdidum Rubrum-Hydrargyri lōdidi Rūbri-Red Mercuric lodide. U. S. P. (BINIODIDE OF MERCURY-RED IODIDE OF MERCURY.) Origin. Prepared by mixing solutions of Corrosive Mercuric Chloride and Potassium Iodide; filter, and dry the precipitated red iodide. Description and Properties.-A scarlet-red, amorphous pow der, odorless and tasteless; permanent in the air. Almost insoluble in water, but soluble in 130 parts of alcohol. It should be kept in well-stoppered bottles, protected from light. Dose.-grain (0.002-0.004 Gm.). Official Preparation. Liquor Ărseni et Hydrargyri Iōdidi—Liquōris Ārseni et Hydrargyri Iōdidi -Solution of Arsenic and Mercuric Iodide.—(Described under Arsenic.)—Dose, 5 minims (0.3 Cc.), gradually increased. Hydrǎrgyri Ŏxidum Flāvum—Hydrǎrgyri Ŏxidi Flavi-Yellow Mercuric Oxide. U. S. P. Origin.-Prepared by precipitating a solution of Corrosive Mercuric Chloride with Soda. Description and Properties.-A light orange-yellow, amorphous, heavy, impalpable powder; odorless, and having a somewhat metallic taste. Permanent in the air, but turning darker on exposure to light. Almost insoluble in water or in alcohol. It should be kept in well-stoppered bottles, protected from light. Not used internally. Official Preparation. Unguentum Hydrargyri Ŏxidi Flavi-Unguenti Hydrargyri Ŏxidi Flāvi— Ointment of Yellow Mercuric Oxide.-Formula: Yellow Mercuric Oxide, 10; Ointment, 90 parts. Used externally. Hydrǎrgyri Ŏxidum Rūbrum-Hydrărgyri Ŏxidi Rūbri-Red Mercuric Oxide. U. S. P. (RED PRECIPITATE.) Origin. Prepared by dissolving Mercury in Diluted Nitric Acid. Evaporate to dryness. Triturate the mercuric nitrate thus formed with mercury and heat. Description and Properties.-Heavy, orange-red crystalline scales, or a crystalline powder, becoming yellower the finer it is divided; odorless, and having a somewhat metallic taste; permanent in the air.. Almost insoluble in water and in alcohol. It should be kept in well-stoppered bottles, protected from light. Dose. grain (0.001-0.006 Gm.). Official Preparation. Unguentum Hydrărgyri Ŏxidi Rūbri-Unguěnti Hydrargyri Ŏxidi Rūbri -Ointment of Red Mercuric Oxide.-Formula: Red Mercuric Oxide, 10; Castor Oil, 5; Ointment, 85 parts. Used externally. |