[Jewelry making - Article 00104] - Re: [Orchid] Collecting gold with mercury

[Carol Stall]

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    I'm surprised someone hasn't mentioned this bit of history. In
    previous centuries hatters used heated mercury in the process of
    forming hats. They were frequently exposed to the fumes. 

    Many of them went mad before they died, thus earning the phrase "mad
    as a hatter". 

    So did countless native S. Americans fwho werer forced to work in
    Peruvian silver mines after the conquest-- at least those who had
    the job of mashing mercury into crushed ore--with their bare feet. 

    When we were kids, my brother brought some home in a tube. I
    remember rolling beads of it around in our hands and marveling that
    it was molten at room temp. Of course before its toxicity was
    scientifically confirmed. 

    But I think Doc was just joking....;) Right? 

Cheers!
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