Calomel (chemical formula Hg2Cl2) is a mild chloride of mercury, a heavy, white or yellowish white substance, insoluble and tasteless, much used in medicine as a mercurial and purgative; mercurous chloride.
It occurs native as the mineral horn quicksilver or horn mercury.
It is manufactured by heating a mixture of mercurous sulphate and common salt in iron retorts, and condensing the sublimed calomel in brick chambers.
Calomel is a white powder which sublimes at a low red heat; it is insoluble in water, alcohol and ether.
Calomel possesses certain special properties and uses in medicine which are dealt with here as a supplement to the general discussion of the pharmacology and therapeutics of mercury (q.v.).
It was afterwards applied in joke by Sir Theodore Mayerne to the chloride of mercury, in honour of a favourite negro servant whom he employed to prepare it.
As calomel is a white powder, the name is merely a jocular misnomer.” —
Calomel - Calomel Hooper says- “This name, which means `beautiful fl,' was originally given to...
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