Cigars, Mercu′′rial

Syn. Cigarr′æ mercuria′les , L. Prep. (Paul Bernard.) Ordinary cigars are deprived of their narcotic properties by soaking them in water, and are then wetted with a weak solution of corrosive sublimate, to which a little opium is generally added. The proportion may be, of corrosive sublimate, 1 gr.; rectified spirit, 20 drops; di olve; add laudanum, 15 drops; with this solution 6 cigars are to be equally moistened to within about 1 1 ⁄ 2 inch of the mouth end, and then set aside to dry. Used by persons afflicted with syphilitic affections of the throat and palate, as a convenient method of mercurial fumigation. For those accustomed to the use of tobacco, mild cigars, undeprived of their nicotine, may be employed for the purpose.