Arcanum corallinum

Arcanum corallinum, is an antiquated alchemical process/term for the creation, initially, of . Once the mercuric oxide (quite toxic in its basic form) is created, it is deoxidized by the addition of tartarized alcohol and turned into a final, potentially medicinal, form.
Method of Preparation
The brief method is described by The New Encyclopædia; or, Universal Dictionary ofArts and Sciences :
Arcanum corrallinum, a preparation of red precipitate, made by distilling it with spirit of nitre, and repeating the distillation again and again, till a red powder is produced. (mercuric oxide) This powder is then boiled in water, and the water poured off, and tartarized spirit of wine put to the powder. Two or three redistillations are made, creating a powder that was used for treating gout, dropsy, scurvy, etc. It operates chiefly by stool.
Medical Uses
Pharmacopœia Bateana contains a more detailed and extensive preparation method; however, it tracks with the process described above. Where it significantly outshines The New Encyclopædia is in its description of potential ailments treated by arcanum corallinum. The Pharmacopœia proposes that arcanum corallinum is a treatment for the following diseases and afflictions (wherever possible the exact spelling or phrasing has been left untouched in transcription):
*French pox (Syphilis)
*Leprosy
*King's Evil (Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis)
*Venereal Relique
*Dropsy
*A specific purge in all Ulcerous effects
*All diseases proceeding from cold glassy Flegm and watery humors
Upon variations of preparation, arcanum corallinum is further said to be effective in treating:
*Gout
*Sciatica
*Rheumatism
*Intermitting Fevers
*Agues (Malaria)
*Tumors, whether inward or outward.
*The malignity of the Plague
Additionally, if made into an ointment, arcanum corallinum was considered to be an effective topic treatment for various maladies of the skin.

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