Mercury Compound Ointment

Yellow mercuric oxide may be obtained by precipitation from solutions of practically any water-soluble mercuric salt through the addition of alkah. The most economical are mercuric chloride or nitrate. Although yellow HgO has some medicinal value in ointments and other such preparations, the primary use is as a raw material for other mercury compounds, eg, Millon s ha.se[12529-66-7], Hg2NOH, which is formed by the reaction of aqueous ammonia and yellow mercuric oxide. 

Galen, a physician whose views outUved him by about a thousand years, died about 200 AD. He beUeved that mercurials were toxic, and did not use any mercury compound therapeutically. However, as a result of Arabian influence, the therapeutic uses of mercury were slowly recognized by Western Europe. In the thirteenth century mercury ointments were prescribed for treating chronic diseases of the skin. Mercury and its compounds, such as mercurous chloride, mercuric oxide, mercuric chloride, and mercuric sulfide, were used widely from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries, and to some extent in the twentieth century. During the first half of the twentieth century, the primary therapeutic uses of mercury included bactericidal preparations, such as mercuric chloride, mercuric oxycyanide, and mercuric oxide and diuretics, such as aryl HgX (Novasural) and mercurated ahyl derivatives (14). 

The use of mercury in fhe treafment of diseases such as syphihs, psoriasis, and congestive heart failure began more fhan fwo cenfuries ago. Although mercury s medicinal use has tapered off in recent years, mercury compounds such as thimerosal and phenylmercuric nitrate still have a limited use in human and veterinary medicines to prevent bacterial growth in injection solutions (e.g. vaccines), antiseptics, and skin ointments. The United States Food and Drug Administration [1] estimates that approximately 200 human and veterinary drug products marketed in the U.S. contain mercury as an active or inactive ingredient. 

Besides dietary and dental amalgam exposure to mercury compounds, accidental exposure to mercury vapors may occur among the general population (e.g., from breakage of a mercury-containing thermometer), or from use of metallic mercury or mercury containing ointments, creams, and drugs. 

The literature on the health effects of mercury is extensive. However, the human and animal data are generally limited to inhalation exposure to metallic mercury vapors and oral exposure to inorganic and organic mercury compounds. There is limited dermal exposure information on adverse effects from ointments and creams that contain inorganic mercury compounds. 

Many cosmetics, paints, ointments, foods, shampoos, and medicines contain preservatives to combat biological degradation. Toxic chemicals used as preservatives include mercury compounds, formaldehyde, methyl and propyl p-aminobenzoic acids, butylated hydroxyanisol, butylated hydroxytoluene, benzoic acid, and quaternary ammonium compounds. 32 ... 

Ointment of Mercury, Dilute, B.P.C. Ointment of Mercury, Compound, B.P.C. Ointment of Mercuric Nitrate, Strong, B.P.C. 

Mercury(II) iodide is used as an analytical reagent, in Nesslers reagent for the analysis of ammonia. The compound also is used in ointments for the treatment of skin diseases. 

Inunctions Inunctions are ointments applied with friction, intended for local application and quick absorption. The term was formerly applied to preparations consisting of wool fat in which mercury or other medicinal agents were incorporated. A Compound Menthol Inunction (retitled Compound Menthol Ointment in 1936) remained official in the National Formulary until 1960. ... 

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