Kevin--what was the process in typesetting that would release a lot of lead dust (was it powder before they melted it?)? Carbuncles are caused by a staph infection around hair follicles as I understand it, so they'd be unrelated, except perhaps to a weakened immune system, but that doesn't seem to fit. Re: mercury -- I was curious about this, as my husband was given a ball of mercury (quicksilver) to play with as a child. He played with it in the driveway as it got smaller and smaller, until it disappeared into one of the cracks, but he has never seemed to take any harm from the experience. No mental disorders, unless you count marrying me. So far as I understand, the mercury used in quartz milling was quicksilver, which is elemental mercury (http://nevada-outback-gems.com/Quartz_mining/stamp_mill.htm). The processes vary, but those I've heard of all seem unlikely to result in small droplets of mercury going into the air to be inhaled. According to PubMed, "elemental mercury is usually quite harmless if touched or swallowed. It is so thick and slippery that it usually falls off your skin or out of your stomach without being absorbed. Considerable damage can occur, however, if mercury is made airborne into small, little droplets and breathed into the lungs" --as in, never vacuum up a spill. A good list of the different types of mercury poisoning and their symptoms can be found here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0003126/ Elemental mercury poisoning can lead to difficulty breathing, permanent lung damage, and death, but as Twain lived so long past the exposure, it seems likely that the smoking and bronchitis are more closely related, and there were so many other factors, environmental and infectious that could contribute to lung issues. Pat, if you're online, interested, and it wouldn't give away too much of your new work, maybe you'd weigh in? Cheers, Sharon ________________________________ From: Kevin Mac Donnell <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Tue, July 5, 2011 3:48:12 PM Subject: Re: Mark's exposure to mercury Twain seemed always to be suffering from bronchitis or carbuncles, neither of which are caused by mercury so far as I know, and both were common ailments in those days, from common causes having nothing to do with heavy metals. Twain also had high exposure to lead dust by virtue of his early typesetting days, but his health issues don't seem evidence of lead-poisoning either. In fact, for a heavy-smoking 19th century person he lived a long active life. I understand he had unimpaired mental acuity as well. Kevin @ Mac Donnell Rare Books 9307 Glenlake Drive Austin TX 78730 512-345-4139 Member: ABAA, ILAB ************************* You may browse our books at www.macdonnellrarebooks.com > > -----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 ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1388 / Virus Database: 1516/3745 - Release Date: 07/05/11