The use of sodium sulfide to separate mercury from tissues preserved in Cialit and Merthiolate solutions

The purpose of the present experiment was to look at the dissolution time in physiological sodium chloride (0.9% NaCl) and sodium sulfide (Na2S) of any mercury (Hg) contained in human auditory ossicles and cartilage after preservation in Cialit and Merthiolate. Both homograft tissues produced almost identical graph complexes. Under static conditions 10 micrograms Hg could be found in NaCl after 15 min, whereas there was complete demercurization after 3 min in Na2S. The dissolution time in NaCl subjected to constant stirring was about 10 min and was less than 1 min in Na2S. For the rapid elimination of Hg from auditory ossicles stored in preservatives containing Hg, our studies show that the use of a flowing solvent is advisable. Further, the extraction of Hg is quicker in sodium sulfide than in an isotonic solution of sodium chloride.