mercurial phosphorus

mercurial phosphorus (uncountable)

1. a glow produced by friction when mercury is shaken in an evacuated glass vessel; the luminous barometer
2. a compound of mercury and phosphorus used to treat syphilis

• V. Several experiments on the mercurial phosphorus, made before the Royal Society, at Gresham-College, by Mr Fra. Hauksbee, F. R. S. Published on 31 October 1705.
• mercurial phosphorus