Mercury poisoning

Acute mercury poisoning

A case of deliberate self poisoning with approximately 7 g mercuric chloride (the lethal dose is about 1 g) is described. The patient died after 6 days despite the use of chelating agents, plasma exchange and intensive supportive therapy. The management of acute mercury toxicity is discussed.

A case of acute mercury vapour poisoning

A case is reported of a research chemist who was briefly exposed to a high concentration of mercury vapour and who developed symptoms of systemic poisoning, but who had a normal urinary excretion of mercury. This latter is not considered to refute the diagnosis. The literature is briefly reviewed.