Mercurius aceticus
Mercury(II) acetate · Mineral
The Mercurius Aceticus patient shares the general Mercurius picture but has symptoms notably influenced by the lunar phases, particularly menses timing. Throat symptoms are distinguished by being worse from coughing rather than swallowing. It is particularly indicated in syphilitic and tinea conditions.
Key symptoms
- Throat lancinations worse by coughing rather than swallowing
- Inflammation of penis worse from cold water, better from tepid bathing
- Menses coming on at new moon, four days before proper time
- Pressure in lower sternum with dyspnoea on standing erect
- Burning in urethra during and outside of urination
- Margins of ulcers become painful
- Lancinating pains in tabes syphilitica
Worse (aggravation)
- Coughing (throat lancinations)
- Cold water (penile inflammation)
- Standing erect (sternal pressure)
Better (amelioration)
- Tepid bathing (penile inflammation)
Subacetate of Mercury. Mercurous acetate. HgC2H3O2. Trituration.
Clinical
Chancre. Eyes, affections of. Dyspnœa. Dysuria. Favus. Sternum, pressure on. Throat, sore. Ulcers.
Characteristics
Hahnemann made a separate proving of Merc. ac., which has furnished a few symptoms, not greatly differing from those of Merc. The throat lancinations were < by coughing rather than by swallowing. Cold water < the inflammation of the penis; bathing with tepid water >. Hahnemann has bracketed a symptom referring to the menses which came on at the new moon, four days before their proper time. The medicines whose action is influenced by the moon's phases are not numerous, and this is worth remembering. "Pressure in lower sternum and dyspnœa on standing erect" is a noteworthy symptom. "Margins of ulcers become painful." Hansen says that "burning in the urethra during urination and at other times" has been confirmed in practice; and that Donner of Stuttgart has cured with it a very painful syphilitic ulcer in urethra. Hansen commends it in tinea favosa on a syphilitic base; and for lancinating pains in tabes syphilitica.
Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
