Calomel

Mainly contains mercurous chloride. The natural product is called calomel (horn mercury ore), but normally prepared artificially; it is a tasteless colorless (usually pale yellow) flaky crystal. Chemically also called calomel; its dried product must contain not less than 99.6% mercurous chloride.

Calomel externally has a bactericidal action; taken internally in appropriate amount it stops abnormal intestinal fermentation and loosens the bowels. After oral calomel meets alkali and bile in the intestine, a small part becomes soluble divalent mercury ions. Aqueous extract of calomel (1:3) inhibits, to varying degrees in test tubes, dermatophytes such as Trichophyton violaceum, Trichophyton schoenleinii, Microsporum audouinii, Epidermophyton rubrum, and Nocardia asteroides.

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