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Dilution increases potency
Published in Dinesh Kumar Jain, Homeopathy, 2022
Today it is also known that “Elemental mercury cannot react with biologically important molecules. When ingested or taken orally, it occurs as large globular particles in the G.I.T. and is absorbed very poorly. The soluble inorganic mercuric salts gain access to the circulation when taken orally” (Klaassen, 1980, p. 1623). It has also been found that “Mercury is easily converted into the form of a dull grey powder when triturated with sugar, chalk or lard. The process is known as deadening. Grey powder contains 33% of mercury and a portion of the mercury is converted into mercuric oxide which produces a poisonous action on the system” (Modi, 1975, p. 545). “Cases are recorded where individuals have swallowed a pound or two of the liquid metal (perfectly pure) without any harmful effect” (Modi, 1975, p. 551).
The Chemical Environment
Published in Vilma R. Hunt, Kathleen Lucas-Wallace, Jeanne M. Manson, Work and the Health of Women, 2020
Vilma R. Hunt, Kathleen Lucas-Wallace, Jeanne M. Manson
Mercury has long been known to be an occupational hazard. Classic symptoms of exposure to elemental mercury vapor and/or dusts of inorganic salts include fatigue, irritability, loss of memory, loss of self-confidence, depression, insomnia, and tremors.43 Victims of recent incidents of ingested organic mercury compounds (e.g., methyl mercury) have also shown classic symptoms of mercury poisoning, as have some of the infants born to mothers with high mercury exposures, indicating transplacental passage of some forms of mercury to the fetus.
Vitamins, trace elements and metals
Published in Martin Andrew Crook, Clinical Biochemistry & Metabolic Medicine, 2013
Mercury poisoning can occur from organic or inorganic salts or elemental mercury vapour. Acute toxicity may result in a metallic taste and respiratory distress, nausea and vomiting. More chronic features include neuropathy and renal dysfunction.
Mercury, silver and selenium in serum before and after removal of amalgam restorations: results from a prospective cohort study in Norway
Published in Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 2023
Lars Björkman, Frauke Musial, Terje Alræk, Erik L. Werner, Harald J. Hamre
The main sources of mercury in the population are seafood, which contains methylmercury (MeHg), and dental amalgam restorations, which releases inorganic mercury (I-Hg) and elemental mercury (Hg0) [5]. All these forms of mercury are absorbed to various degrees by the body and distributed systemically. About 80% of inhaled elemental mercury vapour is absorbed by the lungs, distributed to body organs and rapidly oxidized to I-Hg. Concentration of total mercury in blood is strongly influenced by the intake of seafood [5]. Thus, monitoring of exposure to I-Hg and Hg0 using samples of blood requires speciation analyses, which allows to differentiate between MeHg and I-Hg [6,7]. The biological half-life of I-Hg in plasma after exposure to Hg0 is short [8,9], and thus, the concentration of I-Hg in plasma (and serum) reflects mainly recent exposure (the last days).
Intentional ingestion of elemental mercury requiring multi-step decontamination and prophylactic appendectomy: a case report and treatment proposal
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2018
Andrea Michielan, Azzurra Schicchi, Roberto Cappuccio, Davide Lonati, Francesca Lamboglia, Alessandra Vitalba, Alessandro Caroli, Marta Crevani, Carlo A. Locatelli, Giorgio Betetto
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that exists as inorganic forms in three oxidation states: elemental mercury (Hg0), monovalent (mercurous, Hg+), and divalent (mercuric, Hg++) cations [1]. These three forms of mercury vary with regard to toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. Consequently, clinical manifestations differ by modality of exposure, distribution, and biotransformation of mercury in the body. Compounds in which the mercury ion is covalently linked to at least one carbon atom are classified as organic mercury compounds (e.g., methylmercury). The differentiation between inorganic and organic mercury is essential to predict the potential toxic effects in humans. Hg0, which is still present mainly in manufacturing and medical devices (e.g., barometer, thermometer) or in industrial products (e.g., ceramics, jewellery, paints), is liquid at ambient temperature, and it is mainly absorbed by inhalation of vapor. Elemental mercury is usually considered non-toxic after ingestion due to negligible absorption by normal gastrointestinal mucosa (oral bioavailability of 0.04%). However, some factors involving the mucosal integrity or the motility of the gastrointestinal tract may influence mercury ionization causing a potential absorption with consequently toxic effects [2,3]. Local intestinal complications may develop. The formation of fistulae is rare and mostly related to bowel surgery [3,4], while mercury retention within the appendix is quite frequent. This latter complication has been documented by several case-reports, but its treatment is still debated [2].