| mercurialism | A disease usually caused by the ingestion of mercury or mercury compounds, which are toxic in relation to their ability to produce mercuric ions; usually acute mercury poisoning is associated with ulcerations of the stomach and intestine and toxic changes in the renal tubules; anuria and anaemia may occur; usually chronic mercury poisoning is a result of industrial poisoning and causes gastrointestinal or central nervous system manifestations including stomatitis, diarrhoea, ataxia, tremor, hyperreflexia, sensorineural impairment, and emotional instability (Mad Hatter syndrome). Synonym: hydrargyria, hydrargyrism, mercurialism. (05 Mar 2000) |
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