Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 13.djvu/371

* MERCURY. 337 MEREDITH. Mercury stimulates glands to a proiluotioii of an increased amount of secretion, llydraryyrisni, commonly called -salivation' from one of its symptom's, consists of foetid breath, swollen and spongy gums, with a blue marginal line, sore moutii, swollen and tender tongue, cxcessiyo pro- duction of saliya, loss of appetite, diarrha>a, and fever. Mercury is used in syphilis, tonsillitis and other glandular affections, gastritis, dysentery, gastric ulcer, early cirrliosis of the liver, typlioid fever, diphtlieria, Asiatic cholera, pneumonia, "astro-enleric disturbances, conjunctivitis, en- larged thyroid, and enlarged spleen. Bicldoride of mercury is very largely used as an antiseptic. It is irritant and corrosive, and in toxic doses causes severe gastro-intestinal irri- tation, nausea, vomiting, suppression of urine, blood.v diarrhoea, convulsions, and collapse. It is, however, a very safe and valuable internal remedy in proper dosage. It occurs in heavy, colorless crystals, with sharp metallic taste and acid reaction. It is soluble in 2 parts of boiling water, 3 of alcohol, and 10 of water. Its symbol is HgCL. It is used locally as a parasiticide in a solution of I part in 250 parts of water, and as a general surgical antiseptic in a solu- tion of I part to 1000 of water, or 1 to 2000, sometimes 1 part to 5000 of water. In these dilutions it is an efficient antiseptic for cleansing wounds, moistening gauze dressings, injecting into cavities, etc. See the articles Antidote and Toxicology. MERCURY, Dog's (Mei-curialis). A small genus of plants of the natural order Kuphor- biace;e. The common dog's mercuiy [Meicuiiiilis peremiis), connuon in woods and shrubby places in Europe, has a simple stem about a foot high, rough ovate leaves, and axillary loose s|)ikes of greenish Howers. It turns a glaucous black in drying. The root, which is very poisonous, con- tains two coloring substances, one blue ami the other carmine. The mercury mentioned by some writers as a pot herb is not this plant, but Chcnuijodium Bonus-Hem icus. Annual dog's mer- cury IMcrcurialis annua) is eaten in Germany as spinach. MERCUTIO, mer-ku'shlo. A character in Shakespeare's Romeo and JuJicf, the kinsman of the Prince of Verona and friend to Romeo. He is killed in a quarrel with Tybalt. MERCY, Fathers of. A religious congrega- tion of the Roman Catholic Church founded b.v Jcan-I?aptiste Rauzan (1757-1847). a zealous French priest, immediately after the rest<n'ation of Louis XVIII., whose chaplain he was. Its const ituticm was approved by the Pope in 18.34. under tlie title of "Societ.v of the Priests of Mercy." The members devoted themselves to mission preaching and works of charit.v. liar. de Forbin-.Ianson. Bishop of Xancv, brought two of them to America in 18.30. and houses were established in Xew York and Saint .ugustine. Florida. The fathers of the societ.v still care for the French population of Xew York, and have also a church in BrookUii. In 1003 the mother- house in Paris was closed by the Government under the .Associations Law. and the headquar- ters were accordingl.v transferred to Rome. Con- sult Dehiporte, Vie de Jean-liaptiste Rauzan (Paris, 1857). MERCY, Sister.s of, or Order of Our Lady OF Mercy. A Roman Catholic religious conunu- nity founded in Dublin in 1827. They are of two classes, choir sisters and la.v sisters, the choir sisters being occupied with the visitation of the sick and prisoners, the care of poor and virtuous girls, and other charities ; the la.v sisters being employed in the domestic occupations of the con- vent. Each comnuniitv is independent of the rest of the Order, being subject onl.y to the bish- ops. The origin of the Order was due to Miss Catharine McAuley, of Dublin, who. born of Roman Catholic parents and left an orphan, hav- ing been educated a Protestant, joined the Ro- man Catholic Church and devoted her life and ample fortune to the service of the poor. The Order has been introduced into nurny parts of Ireland, England, Scotland, and America. After a preliminary preparation of six months, candi- dates assume the white veil and become novices. The novitiate lasts two ,vears. Their vows bind them to poverty, celibacy, obedience, and the care of the sick and poor. In the United States their first, now the luother, house was opened in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1843, and they are now very widespread and have sixty-five convents. Con- sult Leaves from the Annals of the listers of Mcrcii (3 vols., Xew York, 1881). MERCY SEAT. The ordinary translation of the Hebrew Kapporeth(Ex. xxv. 17 sqq.), signify- ing the 'covering' of the Ark of the Covenant ( q. v. ). It was made entirel.y of gold, and surmounted at the two ends b.y two figures, called chcrnhini, also made of gold. The kapporeth appears to have been a movable cover to the ark, resting above it like a roof. The cherubim covered this kapporeth with their wings. See Cherub. MER DE GLACE, mar de glas (Fr.. Sea of Ice). One of the largest and most interesting of the .lpine glaciers. It lies on the northern slope of iVIont Blanc, and is formed lv the confiuence of three branches known as the Glacier du Geant, the Glacier du Lechaud. and the Glacier du Talefre. Its extreme length is about 9 miles, and in all it covers an area of 10 square miles. The rate of flow, compared with other glaciers of the .-Vlps. is very rapid, the average advance during the sum- mer and autumn months being about two feet per day. The Jler de Glace is noted for its beautiful scenery, and is one of the favorite tour- ist resorts in the Alps. It is most easil.y reached from the village of Chamonix. near vhich it debouches into the yalle.v as the Glacier des Blois and gives rise to the .rve.yron River. See Glacier; Mont Blanc; and Illustration accom- panying Chamonix. MEREDITH, Georoe (1828—). A distin- guished English novelist and poot. He was born in Hampshire, February 12. 1S28. and received part of his earl.v education in Germany — a land whose influence, especially through its poetry and music, is perceptible in his writings. On returning to England he studied law for a while, but soon abandoned it, as his literary genius began to make itself felt. His first ]udilished poem, "Chillianwallah," appeared when he was only twenty-one, in Chnmhrrs's Journal (.lulv, 1849). He married a daughter of Thomas Love Peacock (q.v. ). and it was to Peacock that lu> dedicated his first volume of poems (1S51). Original and unique as Meredith's novels are, it is possible to trace in them an inheritance from