Symptoms

Intense metallic taste in the mouth, pain in the stomach, purging, vomiting, etc., in fact, the symptoms of nearly all metallic poisons are similar. There are, of course, certain peculiarities belonging to each, and that belonging to mercury is the largely increased flow of saliva, commonly called "salivation," which almost invariably follows a poisonous dose of mercury in any of its forms. The period which elapses between the taking of the poison and appearance of the salivation, varies from a few hours to some days.

Treatment

An emetic of sulphate of zinc or copper (as under Hemlock) should be given in white of egg, mixed with milk or water, milk, and flour and water in large draughts. When the salivation sets in, the following will be found useful when in conjunction with astringent gargles: -

Iodide of potassium, 24 grains.

Tincture of bark, 1 ounce.

Water, to 8 ounces. Mix, and take two tablespoonfuls three times a day.

A good form of an astringent gargle is as follows: -

Alum, 30 grains.

Water, to 4 ounces. Mix, and use about a tablespoonful as a gargle every three or four hours.