mercury(i) chloride (also known as calomel or mercurous chloride) has been used as a diuretic, skin disinfectant, and laxative. together with other mercury compounds, mercury(ii) chloride (also known as mercuric chloride or corrosive sublimate) was used to treat syphilis. the problem with this was that mercury(ii) chloride is very toxic. sometimes the symptoms of its toxicity were confused with those of the syphilis it was believed to treat. it is also used as a disinfectant. , a pill or syrup in which mercury is the main ingredient, was prescribed throughout the 1800s for different conditions such as constipation, depression, child-bearing and toothaches. in the early 20th century, mercury was given to children once a year as a laxative and dewormer. teething powders for infants also had it in them.