Mercury poisoning. Metallic mercury is absorbed through the skin and alimentary canal, and its vapor is taken in through the lungs. Acute poisoning causes vomiting, severe abdominal pains, bloody diarrhea, and kidney damage, with failure to produce urine. Treatment is with dimercaprol. Chronic poisoning causes mouth ulceration, loose teeth, loss of appetite, and intestinal and renal disturbances, with anemia and nervous irritability. Treatment is removing the patient from further exposure.
Chronic poisoning by mercury. It is seen as a result of continuous administration of mercury or occurs in persons who work with the metal or inhale its vapors.