Mercurius praecipitatus albus
Ammoniated mercury (mercury amidochloride) · Mineral
The constitutional picture of Mercurius Praecipitatus Albus centers on children and elderly individuals presenting with chronic eczematous skin conditions and signs of premature aging. The remedy is associated with dwarfism and scrofulous states in children who appear old before their time. Symptoms are drawn entirely from toxicological reports rather than formal provings.
Key symptoms
- Green tongue with thick greenish fur
- Bilious stools scalding the anus
- Old-mannish appearance in a poisoned child overnight
- Chronic eczema of face with moistening eruption
- Vesicles on reddened swollen skin drying into exfoliating scales
- Oedematous eyelids with reddened corners and lachrymation
- Itching and burning on head preventing sleep
- Thick yellow crust on face and scalp with offensive odour
- Swollen cervical glands
Worse (aggravation)
- In winter
- Exposure to cold
- Night (child shrieked from great pain)
White Precipitate. Mercurammonium chloride. NH2HgCl. Trituration.
Clinical
Dwarfism. Eczema faciei.
Characteristics
The symptoms of Merc. præcip. alb. are taken entirely from poisonings. The most peculiar symptoms are: Green tongue; bilious stools scalding anus; and the old-mannish appearance of a child poisoned with it. Mossa (H. R., ix. 28) relates (1) a case of chronic eczema of the face in an elderly man, a moistening eruption < in winter and from exposure to cold; vesicles on a reddened, swollen skin dry into scales which exfoliate; eyelids, especially lower, œdematous, corners reddened; lachrymation; ear involved; itching and burning on head preventing sleep. Merc. præcip. alb. 3 gr. i. every third day. First the burning itching ceased. Then formation of blisters abated. Exfoliation continued a long time, but the skin finally became normal. (2) Girl, 2, eruption on face and large part of scalp, covered with thick yellow crust, matter exuding from cracks. Offensive odour; swollen cervical glands. Merc. præcip. alb. 3 gr. i once in three days cured in four weeks.
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