mercury poisoning (redirected from Swift's)

mercury poisoning

n.

Poisoning caused by mercury or a compound containing mercury, with the acute form characterized by stomach ulcers and renal tubule toxicity and the chronic form affecting the central nervous system and causing emotional instability. Also called hydrargyria, mercurialism.

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mercury poisoning,

a toxic condition caused by the ingestion or inhalation of mercury or a mercury compound. The chronic form, resulting from inhalation of the vapors or dust of mercurial compounds or from repeated ingestion of very small amounts, is characterized by irritability, thirst, excessive saliva, loosened teeth, gum disorders, slurred speech, tremors, and staggering. Symptoms of acute mercury poisoning appear in a few minutes to a half hour and include a metallic taste in the mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and renal failure that may result in death. The presence of mercury in the body is determined by a urine test. Free mercury, such as in thermometers, is not absorbed in the GI tract, but because it is very volatile, hazardous vapors may penetrate ordinary toxic dust respirators, causing poisoning by inhalation. Mercury compounds are found in agricultural fungicides and in certain antiseptics and pigments. They are used extensively in industry. Industrial wastes containing mercury have been identified in some areas, and seafood from contaminated waters has caused serious public health problems. Also called hydrargyrism, mercurialism. See also Minamata disease.

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mercury (Hg),

a metallic element. Its atomic number is 80 and its atomic weight is 200.6. It is the only common metal that is liquid at room temperature, and it occurs in nature almost entirely in the form of its sulfide, cinnabar. It is used in dental amalgams, thermometers, barometers, and other measuring instruments. It forms many poisonous compounds. The major toxic forms are mercury vapor, mercuric salts, and organic mercurials. Elemental mercury is only mildly toxic when ingested because it is poorly absorbed.

mercury poisoning,

n a toxic condition caused by the ingestion or inhalation of mercury or a mercury compound. The chronic form, resulting from inhalation of the vapors or dust of mercurial compounds, is characterized by irritability, excessive saliva, loosened teeth, gingival tissue disorders, slurred speech, tremors, and staggering. Symptoms of acute mercury poisoning usually appear no later than 30 minutes after exposure and include a metallic taste in the oral cavity, thirst, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and renal failure that may result in death. Its presence in the body is determined by a urine test.

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poisoning (poiz´ning),

n the possibly fatal condition caused by exposure to poison.

poisoning, arsenic,

n acute or chronic intoxication from the ingestion of insecticides or administration of organic arsenicals. Manifestations of acute poisoning include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and collapse. Chronic manifestations include weakness, peripheral neuropathy, hyperkeratosis, skin rashes, and oral manifestations secondary to liver dysfunction and bone marrow depression. See also stomatitis, arsenical.

poisoning, bismuth,

n See bismuthosis.

poisoning, chemical,

n a form of poisoning caused by ingestion of a toxic chemical agent.

poisoning, iodine,

n See iodism.

poisoning, lead,

n See plumbism.

poisoning, mercury,

n See mercurialism.

poisoning, metallic,

n a toxic condition produced by excessive exposure to or intake of metals. In the oral cavity there may be definite signs of arsenic, bismuth, lead, phosphorus, radium, and other metals. Fluorides produce changes in developing teeth at levels far below those that are toxic.

poisoning, phosphorus,

n the result of the ingestion of phosphorus, especially yellow phosphorus. Manifestations include burning of the oral cavity and throat, abdominal pain, vomiting, jaundice, liver damage, and death. In chronic poisoning, necrosis of the jaws (phossy jaw) occurs.

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mercury

a chemical element, atomic number 80, atomic weight 200.59, symbol Hg. See Table 6.

Mercury forms two sets or classes of compounds: mercurous, in which a single atom of mercury combines with a monovalent radical, and mercuric, in which a single atom of mercury combines with a bivalent radical. Mercury and its salts have been employed therapeutically as purgatives; as alternatives in chronic inflammations; and as intestinal antiseptics, disinfectants and astringents. They are absorbed by the skin and mucous membranes, causing chronic mercurial poisoning, or hydrargyria. The mercuric salts are more soluble and irritant than the mercurous. See also mercurous, mercuric.

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ammoniated mercury

used as an antiseptic skin and ophthalmic ointment.

organic mercury

includes the fungistats phenylmercurials, ethyl and methyl mercurials, e.g. methoxyethylmercury silicate; poisonous to animals and cause unacceptable residues in animal products.

mercury plant

mercurialisannua.

mercury poisoning

by inorganic compounds causes gastritis and kidney damage manifested by diarrhea and terminal uremia. Organic mercury compounds were until recently extensively used as fungistatic agents in stored grain. They cause poisoning manifested by nervous signs, including incoordination, blindness and recumbency. With larger doses there are convulsions.