Interesting!
I think this would explain much of his behavior and some of his illness we hear about!

Thanks for posting!
Jules

Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 1:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Mark's exposure to mercury

Just recently I had a conversation about mercury poisoning and it occurred to me that Twain was exposed to mercury while working in the quartz mill in Nevada.  He remarks that a gold ring he was wearing was lost due to the mercury (quicksilver) used in the milling process.  So, obviously he was exposed.  Did he exhibit any signs of poisoning  then or at any later date?