Hi,
I wish I had the time and money to answer this, but unfortunately I am already working on transcribing letters for Kent, fixing grammar for a book for another person, (someone in Europe), and trying to finish writing 3 Twain books of my own to be published soon, and writing a paper to be given at RRMLA in the fall :)
So sorry :(
Jules

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Twain Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ben Wise
Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 12:18 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Mark's exposure to mercury

Mercury poisoning symptoms  "typically include sensory impairment (vision, h= earing, speech), disturbed sensation and a lack of coordination. The type and degree of symptoms exhibited depend upon the individual toxin, the dose, a= nd the method and duration of exposure." 20
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning)

Does this "explain much of his behavior and some of his illness we hear about"?  If so, can you cite examples or references?

Just curious.

Ben



On Jul 4, 2011, at 11:48 AM, JULES AUSTIN HOJNOWSKI <[log in to unmask]> wrot=
e:

> Interesting!
> I think this would explain much of his behavior and some of his 
> illness we=
 =3D
> hear about!
>=20
> Thanks for posting!
> Jules
>=20
> Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 1:32 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Mark's exposure to mercury
>=20
> Just recently I had a conversation about mercury poisoning and it 
>occurred=
 =3D
> to me that Twain was exposed to mercury while working in the quartz 
> mill i=
n=3D
> Nevada.  He remarks that a gold ring he was wearing was lost due to 
> the me=
=3D
> rcury (quicksilver) used in the milling process.  So, obviously he was 
> exp=
o=3D
> sed.  Did he exhibit any signs of poisoning  then or at any later date?