Perhaps someone else can respond to whether MT might have suffered from symptoms of mercury poisoning (as described), since the subject has come up. 

Ben 

----- Original Message -----
From: "JULES AUSTIN HOJNOWSKI" <[log in to unmask]> 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Tuesday, July 5, 2011 2:37:38 PM 
Subject: Re: Mark's exposure to mercury 

Hi, 
I wish I had the time and money to answer this, but unfortunately I am alre= 
ady 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 RR= 
MLA 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=3D earing, speech), disturbed sensation and a lack of coordination. The t= 
ype and degree of symptoms exhibited depend upon the individual toxin, the = 
dose, a=3D 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 abo= 
ut"? 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]> wro= 
t=3D 
e: 

> Interesting! 
> I think this would explain much of his behavior and some of his=20 
> illness we=3D 
=3D3D 
> hear about! 
>=3D20 
> Thanks for posting! 
> Jules 
>=3D20 
> Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 1:32 AM 
> To: [log in to unmask] 
> Subject: Mark's exposure to mercury 
>=3D20 
> Just recently I had a conversation about mercury poisoning and it=20 
>occurred=3D 
=3D3D 
> to me that Twain was exposed to mercury while working in the quartz=20 
> mill i=3D 
n=3D3D 
> Nevada. He remarks that a gold ring he was wearing was lost due to=20 
> the me=3D 
=3D3D 
> rcury (quicksilver) used in the milling process. So, obviously he was=20 
> exp=3D 
o=3D3D 
> sed. Did he exhibit any signs of poisoning then or at any later date?