Though modern scientists recognize mercury as a harmful
environmental pollutant and one of the world's most dangerous
elemental toxins, mercury was once considered a wondrous substance
capable of eradicating internal disease, revolutionizing the paint
and cosmetics industries and even entertaining the masses as part
of amateur magic tricks and witch doctor scams.This work traces the
history of mercury in popular culture, beginning in the early
eighteenth century when Dr. Thomas Dover, nicknamed ""Dr.
Quicksilver,"" began prescribing doses of raw mercury to clear out
intestinal blockages and rid the body of syphilis and other
diseases. The author then details the role of mercury in several
medical, industrial, and cultural applications. In the fields of
dentistry and vaccination, mercury continues to be used as a
preservative and amalgamative agent. In the cosmetics industry,
mercury was once used as a popular ""skin lightener"" in soaps and
skin creams. In the early development of obstetrics and gynecology,
mercury was once used to stimulate conception and fetal abortion.
These uses of mercury, along with many more, are outlined in the
work, while several appendices provide translations of rare works
which reference mercury.
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