MERCURY POISONING

A toxic disorder produced by inhalation of mercury; classified by the American Psychiatric Association under brain syndromes resulting from drug or poison intoxication.Workers in factories where scientific instruments or felt hats are manufactured, or in plants where gold is extracted from silver, sometimes inhale volatile mercury in sufficient quantities to develop chronic intoxication. The most prominent mental symptoms are irritability, fear, loss of confidence, and occasional outbursts of anger. Physical symptoms include generalized tremors and weakened arm muscles. There is no specific therapy except BAL (British Anti-Lewisite, or dimercaprol), but the symptoms usually subside of themselves in time and leave few if any after effects