Mercurius dulcis

Mercurius dulcis is mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂), historically the “mild” mercurial “calomel.” Insoluble in water, it was used for centuries as a cathartic, alterative, antisyphilitic, and “liver” remedy, later abandoned because of mercurialism (stomatitis, salivation, nephrotoxicity) and the availability of safer drugs [Hughes], [Clarke]. In homeopathy it is prepared by trituration of the salt and subsequent attenuations. Calomel’s toxic and pharmacological profile (salivary/glandular irritation, catarrhal inflammation of naso-pharynx/Eustachian tube, portal and biliary stimulation, green stools of children) maps closely to its clinical sphere in chronic adenoids, Eustachian catarrh/otitis media, “snuffles” of infants, dentition diarrhoea, and hepatobiliary congestion [Allen], [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke].

Symptoms derive largely from toxicology and extensive clinical confirmations; Allen and Hering compile calomel poisonings and bedside observations in catarrhal ear–nose–throat disease of children, dentition diarrhoea, and hepatic congestion [Allen], [Hering]. Clarke’s Dictionary consolidates its ENT–glandular and biliary affinities [Clarke]. Tags: [Toxicology], [Clinical].

Essence: Mercurius dulcis portraits the glandular–catarrhal child: enlarged adenoids, Eustachian blockage with recurrent, “glue-ear” otitis, and a matching gut picture of green, slimy, excoriating stools, often during dentition. The mouth and glands are involved—spongy gums, modest drool, swollen cervical/submaxillary nodes—but the whole scene is milder than the raw, fetid, ulcerative excesses of Merc-sol. The pathological arc is mucosal thickening and viscid secretion rather than active ulceration; the temperament is fretful and heat-sensitive at night, improved by ventilation—coherent with the Merc signature (worse warm room/night) yet nuanced by the remedy’s relative gentleness [Hughes], [Clarke], [Hering].

Kingdom signature: As an inorganic mercurial, calomel shares Merc’s gland–mucosa tropism (saliva, nodes, Eustachian, tonsils) and the tendency to aggravate in heat and at night; but its historical “calomel–liver” use underscores a hepatic–portal dimension—right hypochondrial soreness, sallow look, bile-tinted stools—bridging ENT and bowel [Hughes]. Polarities: obstruction vs flow (blocked nose/ear better when discharge begins), warmth of bed vs relief from fresh air, dentition irritation vs relief after stool. Differentiation: From Pulsatilla, which features bland discharges and thirstlessness; Merc-d. is more glandular with acrid stools. From Kali-mur., which centres on white-coated tongues and tubal catarrh without the hepatic–stool tie. From Merc-iod., which races to suppuration/abscess with clear laterality, stronger fetor, and more intense reactivity. The best cases show the triad: adenoids/Eustachian catarrh + cervical gland fullness + green slimy dentition stools, worse night and warm rooms, better cool air and after free discharge—a clean, reproducible pattern [Allen], [Boger], [Farrington].

• Naso-pharynx & adenoids — Chronic obstruction with thick posterior mucus; “snuffles” of infants; mouth-breathing; adenoid facies; catarrh tending toward Eustachian blockage [Clarke], [Hering].
• Eustachian tube & middle ear — Tubal catarrh, recurrent otitis media with gluey discharge, deafness from thickened mucosa; pains worse at night and warmth of bed; enlarged peri-auricular glands [Allen], [Boger].
• Salivary glands & mouth — Spongy, swollen gums; moderate salivation and gingival tenderness (milder than Merc-sol.); fetor and metallic taste during catarrh/dentition [Hughes], [Clarke].
• Cervical & submaxillary glands — Chronic, painless or tender enlargement accompanying adenoids/tonsils; “glandular child” picture [Hering], [Farrington].
• Tonsils & posterior nares — Chronic hypertrophy with viscid secretions; catarrh extends back to choanae; thick post-nasal drip provoking cough at night [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Liver & portal system — Right hypochondrial soreness, biliary element with pale–green stools; sluggish bowel in older children/adults; tongue coated, sallow skin [Hughes], [Allen].
• Intestines (children) — Dentition diarrhoea: green, slimy, offensive stools; excoriating; worse after fruit/milk; with adenoid/Eustachian catarrh cluster [Hering], [Nash].
• Skin & mucosae of infants — Peri-oral excoriation, napkin rash from acrid stools; moist rawness behind ears in catarrhal children [Clarke], [Phatak].

Typically a peevish, fretful child, especially at night when nose blocks and the ear throbs. Restlessness alternates with drowsiness; the child wants to be carried yet resists being laid down, crying on turning to the sore ear [Hering]. Irritability increases during dentition and with disordered stools, and there is aversion to being examined about the mouth/ears, reflecting glandular and catarrhal tenderness [Clarke]. Older children show dulness and inattention during chronic adenoid states—apathy that lifts when breathing improves [Allen]. Anxiety flares when choking on mucus in sleep, a picture that tallies with the noted worse night/warm room modalities.

Disturbed by snoring, mouth-breathing, and choking on mucus in first sleep; child starts, sits up, then dozes off again when air clears [Hering]. Position on affected ear wakens with cry; better half-sitting with cool air. Dreams are not prominent; the chief sleep keynote is mechanical obstruction plus ear pain.

Scant record; restless, heat-dreams with grunting/snoring in blocked nose children [Allen] [Clinical].

Mercurius dulcis is the mild mercurial for the glandular, catarrhal child: adenoids, Eustachian blockage, chronic tubal catarrh, and dentition diarrhoea with green, slimy, excoriating stools. Gums and cervical nodes are soft, swollen, and tender, yet salivation and fetor are moderate compared with other Mercs [Hughes], [Clarke]. Modalities are coherent: worse at night, in warm, close rooms, in damp cold, and during dentition; better in open air, propped up, after catarrh flows. The hepatic–portal note (right hypochondrial soreness, bile-coloured stools) binds to the intestinal picture. Distinguish from Merc-sol. (profuse salivation, offensive mouth, more acute ulceration), Merc-iod. (tonsillar laterality and rapid suppuration), and Kali-mur. (Eustachian catarrh with white, mapped tongue) [Boger], [Farrington], [Phatak].

Low, evening fever with flushed cheeks during ear attacks; skin moist; temperature rises after a day in a close room, falls when discharge flows [Clarke]. No malignant septic curve.

Chill on exposure to damp cold; heat and restlessness in warm bed; night sweats mild compared with other mercurials [Hering]. Sweats do not relieve.

Dull, heavy frontal headache from post-nasal catarrh, with pressure at root of nose and over the Eustachian mouths [Clarke]. Headache is worse in close rooms and on stooping, better when discharge becomes free, echoing “better after free nasal discharge.” In adenoid children, there is a habitual open mouth, snoring, head sweat, and a sallow, heavy expression; cervical nodes feel shotty [Hering], [Farrington]. When catarrh is suppressed by weather or medication, head fulness and ear plugging return [Clinical].

Catarrhal irritation with smarting tears when thick post-nasal mucus is hawked up; lids feel heavy in close rooms [Clarke]. In ear–nose attacks, ocular discomfort is reflex and mild; conjunctiva slightly injected after a night of mouth-breathing. Vision blurs transiently during headache; clears as nose runs [Allen].

A key sphere. Eustachian catarrh with sense of stuffing and gluey middle-ear exudate; dulled hearing; tinnitus like seashell noise [Boger], [Allen]. Otalgia shoots to the jaw and mastoid, worse night, lying on the sore side, and warm bed; better from gentle warmth/pressure behind the ear—nuanced within the Merc family [Clarke]. Recurrent otitis in adenoid children leaves thick, offensive discharge and enlarged peri-auricular glands; attacks relapse after every chill wind or dairy excess [Hering]. Swallowing and chewing aggravate by tugging the tube; yawning may momentarily clear.

Infant “snuffles”: nose blocked, child cannot nurse, starts from sleep choking on mucus; respiration through mouth with noisy snore [Hering]. Thick, yellow-green, sometimes bland discharge alternates with obstruction; posterior nares drip provokes cough in first sleep. Smell is dulled; the bridge/root ache on pressure. Chronic adenoid hypertrophy and post-nasal adenoiditis are frequent indications, with a moist, catarrhal climate aggravating [Clarke]. Symptoms improve in dry, cool air and when secretion becomes free (cross-link Better For).

Sallow or pale, with peri-oral excoriation from drooling and acrid nasal drip; submaxillary and cervical glands full or tender [Hering]. Child has “adenoid facies”: open mouth, dull look, puffy eyelids. Parotids may feel heavy in prolonged catarrh, and the angle of jaw is sore to touch [Clarke].

Gums spongy and sensitive (less violent than Merc-sol.); tongue coated white or yellowish with metallic taste; drooling is moderate, not profuse [Hughes], [Clarke]. During dentition, gum edges are swollen and bleed slightly on brushing; child wants to bite on cool objects. Fetor is present but milder than in other mercurials; mouth-breathing aggravates dryness and cracking.

Dentition painful; diarrhoea accompanies teething—green, slimy, excoriating stools that soothe the gum irritability when the bowels move (cross-link Abdomen/Rectum) [Hering], [Nash]. Toothache shoots to ear, worse at night and warmth of bed; better gentle warmth locally [Clarke].

Sticky, viscid mucus at posterior nares trickles into throat, causing frequent hawking and night cough; fauces mildly red, with thick strings from choanae on waking [Clarke]. Tonsils are chronically enlarged, less acutely inflamed than in the iodides; swallowing thick mucus nauseates. Eustachian orifices feel plugged, and clearing pops are frequent on swallowing [Boger].

Cough from post-nasal drip—short, hacking in first sleep; child chokes on strings of mucus and sits up to clear (better head high) [Clarke]. Voice may be thick and nasal from blocked choanae; true laryngeal involvement is uncommon.

Secondary weakness from loss of sleep and chronic catarrh; pulse soft during nocturnal fretfulness. No specific myocarditic picture (compare Merc-cy.) [Kent].

Mouth-breathing with snore; obstructed nose compels shallow, noisy respiration at night [Hering]. Shortness of breath on slight exertion in adenoid children improves once obstruction is treated and catarrh flows freely (cross-link Better For).

Poor appetite when nose blocked; mouth-breathing causes thirst for small warm drinks which ease the throat briefly [Clarke]. Nausea follows swallowing of clotted mucus; tongue coat corresponds to biliary state. Milk disagrees and may provoke immediate regurgitation in infants with snuffles [Nash].

Right hypochondrium full and sore; child stretches and bends to relieve hepatic pressure; stool colour varies with bile flow [Hughes]. Rumbling and colic precede diarrhoea after fruit or milk; pains subside after stool. Portal sluggishness gives a sallow tint with coated tongue and offensive breath [Allen].

Dentition diarrhoea: green, slimy, acrid stools excoriating the buttocks and perineum; sour, offensive odour; sometimes undigested food (“lienteric”) [Hering], [Nash], [Dewey]. Stools relieve colic yet return at night or after dietary lapses; straining is moderate (contrasting Merc-cor.). Napkin rash is frequent (cross-link Skin).

Not a leading sphere. Irritable bladder in some catarrhal children—frequent small urinations during the night of earache; urine otherwise normal [Clarke]. Mercurial albuminuria is a toxicologic note rather than a common clinical keynote here [Hughes].

Milk and fruit aggravate stools; desire for warm drinks when throat sticky; aversion when nose blocked [Nash], [Clarke]. Salt/fatty foods may upset the liver; regular, simple diet improves catarrh.

Occasional balanitis with slight glandular swelling as part of general catarrhal–glandular diathesis; scant, sticky discharge when hygiene poor [Allen] [Clinical].

Leucorrhoea of tenacious mucus in adolescents with adenoids and chronic ENT catarrh; cervical glands enlarged; menses delayed in scrofulous constitutions [Clarke] [Farrington]. Not a central sphere.

Cervical stiffness with nodal tenderness; child avoids turning the head on the sore ear side [Hering]. Dorsal slump from chronic mouth-breathing fatigue is noted in school-age cases [Clinical].

Lymphatic child: cool hands, tendency to sweat at night, easily tired legs; picks at ears and nose. Chilblain tendency in damp, chilly weather aggravates catarrh [Clarke].

Napkin rash and peri-oral excoriations from acrid stools and drool; moist rawness behind ears in catarrhal children [Phatak], [Clarke]. Skin looks sallow in hepatic states; glandular enlargements evident in neck chain.

ENT – Adenoids / Eustachian catarrh / Otitis

• Kali-mur. — Tubal catarrh with white or greyish coating; less glandular swelling; Merc-d. has softer nodes and hepatic–bowel link [Boger].
• Pulsatilla — Otitis with bland, yellow-green discharge; weepy, thirstless child; Merc-d. shows glandular fullness and green stools, worse warm room [Clarke], [Farrington].
• Hepar-s. — Violent otalgia, extreme touch-sensitivity, tendency to suppurate; Merc-d. milder pains and more chronic glue ear [Kent].
• Merc-iod. flav./rub. — Tonsils large with clear laterality and rapid suppuration; fetor stronger; Merc-d. more catarrhal/adenoid than abscessive [Clarke].

Nose / Adenoid “snuffles”

• Sambucus — Sudden nocturnal “crowing” obstruction in infants; sweatless chill; lacks glandular–stool nexus of Merc-d. [Boericke].
• Kali-bich. — Stringy, tenacious plugs; frontal punched-out sinus pains; Merc-d. has posterior drip and adenoid block without hard plugs [Boger].

Dentition diarrhoea (green stools)

• Mag-carb. — Sour, green stools in bottle-fed infants; chilly, tender; Merc-d. adds ENT catarrh and glands [Nash].
• Aethusa — Vomits curdled milk; intense milk intolerance; neurological collapse; Merc-d. tolerates milk better; diarrhoea is slimy–green with catarrh [Dewey].
• Podophyllum — Profuse, painless, watery morning stools; Merc-d. stools are slimy, excoriating, with nocturnal aggravation [Nash].

Liver/Portal

• Chelidonium — Marked right scapular pain, strong desire for hot drinks; more adult biliary colic; Merc-d. is paediatric–catarrhal with mild hepatic soreness [Clarke].
• Nux-v. — Gastric–hepatic irritability from diet/drugs; more spasmodic; Merc-d. soft gland–catarrh picture [Kent].

• Complementary: Kali-mur. — Eustachian catarrh and adenoid hypertrophy; white tongue; follows or alternates well [Boger].
• Complementary: Pulsatilla — Middle-ear catarrh with thick discharge and mild child; dovetails when stools settle [Farrington].
• Complementary: Calc-carb. — Adenoid, lymphatic constitution with head sweat; constitutional base after Merc-d. clears catarrh [Clarke].
• Follows well: Belladonna — After acute otitis stage (red, throbbing) subsides to subacute tubal catarrh [Kent].
• Follows well: Aconite — After first chill/wind exposure in ENT catarrh [Dewey].
• Precedes well: Merc-iod. flav./rub. — When tonsils persist large with laterality after catarrh improved [Clarke].
• Compatible with: Hepar-s. — When suppuration threatens in recurrent otitis [Kent].
• Antidotes (mercurial effects): Nit-ac. — Classical antidote to mercurial stomatitis/hypersalivation [Clarke].
• Antidoted by: Hepar-s., per some authorities, for local mouth/ear hypersensitivity after mercurials [Boericke].
• Related: Merc-sol., Merc-iod., Merc-cor. — compare degrees of salivation, ulceration, and tenesmus [Hering], [Boger].

• Adenoids with glue ear: Mouth-breathing, snore, recurrent otitis; hearing dull; use Merc-d. between acute flares to restore tubal patency [Clarke], [Boger].
• Dentition diarrhoea (green, slimy): Especially when ENT catarrh is present and milk/fruit aggravate; combine diet correction with dosing [Hering], [Nash].
• Hepatic–catarrhal child: Right hypochondrial soreness with post-nasal drip; consider Merc-d. before Chelidonium in paediatric cases [Hughes].
• Potency & repetition: Low–medium potencies (6C–30C) in catarrhal children; repeat during relapse nights; pause as soon as discharge frees and sleep improves [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Pearls:
  • “Snuffles with inability to nurse; adenoid child sleeps only with windows open—Merc-dulc.” [Hering].
  • “Otitis media, glue exudate, hearing dull—better after post-nasal flow” [Boger].
  • “Dentition diarrhoea—green, slimy, excoriating; milk the offender” [Nash], [Dewey].
  • “Soft cervical nodes + biliary stool colours point the choice” [Farrington].

Mind

• Peevishness in children during catarrh — classic ENT–gut linkage [Hering].
• Restlessness at night, wants to be carried — ear pain + obstruction [Allen].
• Aversion to examination of mouth/ears — glandular tenderness [Clarke].
• Dulness from obstructed breathing — adenoid state [Clarke].

Head

• Frontal pressure from post-nasal drip — relieves when discharge flows [Clarke].
• Root-of-nose aching in catarrh — Eustachian mouth congestion [Boger].
• Headache worse warm room, better open air — Merc signature moderated [Hering].
• Mouth-breathing with snore — adenoid facies [Clarke].

Nose

• Coryza, snuffles of infants — cannot nurse from blockage [Hering].
• Post-nasal adenoiditis with thick strings — night cough in first sleep [Clarke].
• Obstruction alternating with yellow-green discharge — flow relieves head/ear [Allen].
• Worse warm room, damp cold; better cool, dry air — key modality [Hering].
• Posterior drip causes choking at night — propped position helps [Clarke].

Ears

• Eustachian catarrh, glue-ear — dulled hearing [Boger].
• Otalgia worse night/lying on affected side — bed heat aggravates [Allen].
• Peri-auricular gland enlargement — glandular child [Hering].
• Chewing/swallowing aggravate ear pains — tubal tug [Boger].
• Discharge thick, offensive after relapses — chronicity marker [Clarke].

Mouth/Teeth/Throat

• Gums spongy, tender (moderate salivation) — mild mercurial stomatitis [Hughes].
• Dentition diarrhoea with gum swelling — gut–gum axis [Hering].
• Posterior nares viscid mucus; hawking at night — drip-cough link [Clarke].
• Metallic taste in catarrh — mercurial stamp [Allen].

Abdomen/Rectum

• Right hypochondrial soreness — hepatic/portal tie [Hughes].
• Green, slimy, excoriating stools (children) — dentition diarrhoea key [Hering], [Nash].
• Worse milk/fruit; stool relieves colic — dietary modality [Dewey].
• Sallow, coated tongue with offensive breath — biliary catarrh [Allen].

Skin/Generalities

• Napkin rash from acrid stools — peri-anal excoriation [Phatak].
• Moist rawness behind ears in catarrhal children — lymphatic habitus [Clarke].
• Worse night, warm bed/room; better open air — hallmark modalities [Hering].
• Glandular enlargement cervical/submaxillary — soft nodes [Farrington].

Hering — Guiding Symptoms (1879): adenoids, snuffles, dentition diarrhoea; ENT–gland link.
Allen, T. F. — Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): toxicology; ENT and hepatic notes.
Hughes, R. — Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy (1870): calomel toxicology; mercurial stomatitis; hepatic action.
Clarke, J. H. — Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): adenoids/Eustachian catarrh; clinical modalities.
Boericke, W. — Pocket Manual (1901): ENT–paediatric indications; relationships.
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key (1915): Eustachian catarrh; white tongue contrasts; relationships.
Farrington, E. A. — Clinical Materia Medica (1887): glandular child; Puls/Kali-mur comparisons.
Nash, E. B. — Leaders in Homeopathic Therapeutics (1899): dentition diarrhoea; green slimy stools.
Dewey, W. A. — Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics (1901): paediatric diarrhoea; diet links.
Kent, J. T. — Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica (1905): ear suppuration differentials; Merc group notes.
Phatak, S. R. — Materia Medica (1941): concise keynotes (napkin rash, adenoid child).
Lippe, A. — Text-Book of Materia Medica (1866): glandular and catarrhal confirmations.