Aspiration of Elemental Mercury — Evidence of Absorption without Toxicity

Abstract

THE aspiration of elemental, nonalkyl¹ mercury has been reported at least twice in the past 15 years. One patient² quickly died with signs of acute mercurialism; the other,³ in whom acute toxicity also developed, recovered, and was doing well at five-year follow-up study. The present case affords an excellent opportunity for detailed laboratory evaluation of a third occurrence.Case ReportAn 11-year-old Navaho boy was admitted to the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital on April 17, 1970, when the diagnosis of appendicitis was made. He was transferred to the Gallup, New Mexico, Indian Hospital, where, at laparotomy, a ruptured appendix . . .