Old Familiar Memories - Photo 23

Bottle of Mercurochrome

I my earlier years the common things for cuts were mercurochrome, merthiolate, and iodine. All of which have disappeared for better products. Merthiolate poisoning occurs when large amounts of the substance are swallowed or come in contact with your skin. Poisoning may also occur if you are exposed to small amounts of merthiolate constantly over a long period of time. Mercurochrome and other drugs containing mercury came up for scrutiny as part of a general review of over-the-counter antiseptics that began in 1978, and for good reason--mercury in large enough doses is a poison that harms the brain, the kidneys, and developing fetuses.