Red mercury
Overview
Red mercury is a 19th-century term for protiodide
or iodide of mercury
. It was commonly recommended for use as an antisyphilitic
as late as 1913, most notably during the early years of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments. Taken orally, it caused hematemesis
. Today, it continues to be used in some countries for flat wart treatment and skin lightening, causing some cases of nephrotic syndrome
.
The term was adopted in the 1970s from redmercuriciodide (mercury(II) iodide
) as part of several hoax substances of uncertain composition purportedly used in the creation of nuclear bombs, as well as a variety of unrelated weapons systems. Redmercuriciodide is a poisonous, scarlet-red, odorless, tasteless powder that is insoluble in water.
Protiodide
Protiodide is an iodide of mercury and was a very commonly used drug in the 19th century, prescribed for everything from acne to kidney disease. It was also the treatment of choice for syphilis...
or iodide of mercury
Mercury(I) iodide
Mercury iodide is a chemical compound of mercury and iodine. The chemical formula is Hg2I2. It is photosensitive and decomposes easily to mercury and HgI2.-Synthesis:Mercury iodide can be prepared by direct combination of mercury and iodine:...
. It was commonly recommended for use as an antisyphilitic
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis...
as late as 1913, most notably during the early years of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments. Taken orally, it caused hematemesis
Hematemesis
Hematemesis or haematemesis is the vomiting of blood. The source is generally the upper gastrointestinal tract. Patients can easily confuse it with hemoptysis , although the latter is more common.-Signs:...
. Today, it continues to be used in some countries for flat wart treatment and skin lightening, causing some cases of nephrotic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome is a nonspecific disorder in which the kidneys are damaged, causing them to leak large amounts of protein from the blood into the urine....
.
The term was adopted in the 1970s from redmercuriciodide (mercury(II) iodide
Mercury(II) iodide
Mercury iodide is a chemical compound with an appearance of red-orange crystals. Unlike mercury chloride it is hardly soluble in water Mercury(II) iodide (HgI2) is a chemical compound with an appearance of red-orange crystals. Unlike mercury(II) chloride it is hardly soluble in water Mercury(II)...
) as part of several hoax substances of uncertain composition purportedly used in the creation of nuclear bombs, as well as a variety of unrelated weapons systems. Redmercuriciodide is a poisonous, scarlet-red, odorless, tasteless powder that is insoluble in water.
