Perhaps Sam's choice of drink was the perfect antidote? on 7/5/11 3:48 PM, Kevin Mac Donnell at [log in to unmask] wrote: > 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. -- Linwood Cottage, Sheffield I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. -- Will Rogers