calomel
Mercurous chloride compound
Calomel is mercurous chloride, a white powder once widely used in medicine as a purgative and antiseptic.
It was a standard treatment for various ailments into the early twentieth century, despite its toxicity.
The term now appears mainly in historical or chemical contexts: Doctors prescribed calomel for everything from teething pain to typhoid.
Promotes intestinal evacuation
- purgativeSubstance inducing evacuation
- catharticEmotionally releasing, relieving
- salivationMouth producing digestive fluid
- diureticUrine-promoting substance
vermifuge · apothecary · pharmacopoeia · therapeutics · dosage · compound · tonic · remedy
Liquid metallic element
- chlorideNegatively charged halogen atom
- mercurousOf +1 mercury compounds
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
- whiteAbsence of pigment
precipitate · sublimate · powder · insoluble · reagent · inorganic · synthesis · laboratory
Red mercuric sulfide ore
- sublimateRedirect impulses constructively
- crystalOrdered-atom solid
- secondary mineralMineral formed after original rock
- oreMetal-bearing rock
deposit · geology · specimen · mineralogy · formation · oxidation zone · collection
Historical medicine preparer
- patent medicineTrademarked unproven remedy
- Civil WarCountrymen fighting countrymen
- VictorianOf a prim era
- colonialOf occupied territories
19th century · purgative · bloodletting · obsolete · discontinued · quackery · pharmacopoeia
Harmful metallic element accumulation
- salivationMouth producing digestive fluid
- heavy metalAggressive amplified rock genre
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
- nephrotoxicHarmful to kidneys
neurotoxic · hazardous · contamination · ban · withdrawal · side effects · chronic exposure · acute poisoning
laxative
Promotes intestinal evacuation
- purgativeSubstance inducing evacuation
- catharticEmotionally releasing, relieving
- salivationMouth producing digestive fluid
diuretic · vermifuge · apothecary · pharmacopoeia · therapeutics · dosage · compound · tonic · remedy · patent medicine
mercury
Liquid metallic element
- chlorideNegatively charged halogen atom
- mercurousOf +1 mercury compounds
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
white · precipitate · sublimate · powder · insoluble · reagent · inorganic · synthesis · laboratory · electrode
cinnabar
Red mercuric sulfide ore
- sublimateRedirect impulses constructively
- crystalOrdered-atom solid
- secondary mineralMineral formed after original rock
ore · deposit · geology · specimen · mineralogy · formation · oxidation zone · collection
apothecary
Historical medicine preparer
- patent medicineTrademarked unproven remedy
- Civil WarCountrymen fighting countrymen
- VictorianOf a prim era
colonial · 19th century · purgative · bloodletting · obsolete · discontinued · quackery · pharmacopoeia
mercury poisoning
Harmful metallic element accumulation
- salivationMouth producing digestive fluid
- heavy metalAggressive amplified rock genre
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
nephrotoxic · neurotoxic · hazardous · contamination · ban · withdrawal · side effects · chronic exposure · acute poisoning · harmful
calomelevidence-based medicine
Clinical care guided by research
aspirin · penicillin · ibuprofen · acetaminophen · standard of care