462

UNGU

and using equal parts of it and mercury, adding to every ounce \i\xof fresh egg oil. This form of the ointment has the advantage of anagreeable smell, and of keeping well without becoming rancid. (M.Planche.)Adulterated with an ointment made with rancid lard, which greatlyfacilitates the incorporation of the mercury, but it is rendered by thismeans more irritating to the skin, and still more so by turpentine,which is added for the same purpose. Sulphurated oil renders itinert by forming a sulphuret of mercury.Medicinally it is one of the best modes of administering mercury, from^ss to ^ij being rubbed in before the fire, with the warm hand of thepatient himself, and on the inside of the thighs or arms, and on thecalves of the legs every night, till the mouth acquire a metallic taste,and become slightly sore, when it must be partially discontinued, asexcessive salivation is found in almost every case to do more harmthan good. The warm bath is better for promoting its action thanthe addition of camphor, &c, which are apt to irritate the skin. Theointment itself sometimes irritates the skin, and brings out eruptions,in which case a different place must be selected for the frictions.When it is employed for dropsy, diuretics should he employed withit. When salivation runs too high, a dose or two of the acetate ofmorphine should be given, and the ointment or liniment of belladonnashould be rubbed over the parotid and submaxillary glands. In localparalysis, and other local affections, it is good to rub in this oint-ment, and give at the same time calomel, or some other mercurial,internally.

Unguentum Hydrargyri Mitius. L. D. Milder Mercurial Oint-ment. Take ftj of strong mercurial ointment, ibij of prepared lard;mix. Six drachms of this contain 5j of mercury. It is a prepara-tion of little importance ; but is sometimes used to dress syphiliticsores, and to destroy pediculi.

Unguentum Hydrargyri Nitratis. L. E. D. Ointment of Nitrateof Mercury. Citrine ointment. V. Ung. supcrnitrat. hydrarg. O.Take 5J of purified mercury, jxj of nitric acid, gvj of prepared lard,Jiv of olive oil; dissolve the mercury in the acid, and, while thesolution is hot, mix it with the oil and lard, previously meltedtogether.Medicinally it is useful in herpes, and other eruptions, and for indolentulcers, as a stimulant and alterative. It is an excellent application toinflammation of the tarsi, when mixed over a water-bath, with equalparts of spermaceti ointment, or almond oil, put on in a very smallquantity, with a camel's-hair pencil, at bed-time: 51J of balsam ofcopaiba to 5] of this ointment, is a good addition.