_Mercury with Chalk._
This is mercury slightly oxydized by trituration, and mixed with chalk.
Grs. iij contain about one grain of mercury. DOSE, grs. v to ʒss. It is
a mild and excellent mercurial, and has been known to cure syphilitic
affections, when the constitution had proved rebellious to every other
form of preparation. Dr. George Fordyce committed a great error, when he
denied to this compound any mercurial efficacy. The peculiar mildness of
this preparation has been very justly attributed to the effects of the
carbonate of lime, in neutralizing acid matter in the primæ viæ. In
Mesenteric affections I have employed it with much advantage; in certain
forms of Dysentery it is also a very valuable medicine.