How was mercury bichloride used to treat syphilis?

Mercury bichloride, also known as corrosive sublimate, was historically used as a first-line treatment for syphilis. Physicians like Guido Baccelli even applied it via bold intravenous methods for rebellious cases. However, it was eventually replaced due to its high toxicity and the development of safer alternatives like penicillin.

What we know

• Mercury bichloride is an inorganic chemical compound of mercury and chlorine with the formula HgCl2, historically used as a first line treatment for syphilis. [2]
• Italian physician Guido Baccelli promoted the use of corrosive sublimate, or bichloride of mercury, in the treatment of rebellious syphilis. [4]
• Mercury bichloride has been replaced in syphilis treatment by the more effective and less toxic procaine penicillin since at least 1948. [2]

Where to go next

• what followedWhat are the symptoms and types of mercury poisoning?
• whenHow was penicillin introduced for syphilis?
• whoWho was the Italian physician Guido Baccelli?
• the bigger pictureWhat is the broader history of treating syphilis?
• how it workedHow does mercury(II) chloride function as a chemical compound?
• an unexpected connectionHow does a historical syphilis remedy relate to modern dental fillings?Both involve human exposure to toxic forms of mercury, whether applied medicinally for an infection or used as amalgam in dental care.

Sources

• [1]mercuric chloride (Wikidata Q143200) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Mercury(II) chloride · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Mercury poisoning · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Guido Baccelli · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]History of syphilis · CC BY-SA 4.0