The Collaborative International Dictionary
mercurialism \mer*cu"ri*al*ism\, n. [Mercurial + -ism.] (Med.) The syndrome produced by poisoning due to exposure to mercury, it fumes, or its compounds; mercury poisoning. Such exposure may occur in mining or smelting, or in using mercurial compounds.
WordNet
n. a toxic condition caused by ingesting or inhaling mercury; acute mercury poisoning causes a metallic taste and vomiting and diarrhea and kidney problems that may lead to death
Wikipedia
Mercury poisoning (also known as hydrargyria or mercurialism) is a type of metal poisoning and a medical condition caused by exposure to mercury or its compounds. Mercury (chemical symbol Hg) is a heavy metal occurring in several forms. All of these, except elemental liquid mercury (for which intravenous injection of a certain volume) produce toxicity or death with less than a gram. The damage done by elemental mercury is caused by blocking blood vessels. Mercury's zero oxidation state ( Hg) exists as vapor or as liquid metal, its mercurous state (Hg) exists as inorganic salts, and its mercuric state (Hg) may form either inorganic salts or organomercury compounds; the three groups vary in effects. Toxic effects include damage to the brain, kidneys and lungs. Mercury poisoning can result in several diseases, including acrodynia (pink disease), Hunter-Russell syndrome, and Minamata disease.
Symptoms typically include sensory impairment (vision, hearing, speech), disturbed sensation and a lack of coordination. The type and degree of symptoms exhibited depend upon the individual toxin, the dose, and the method and duration of exposure.
Usage examples of "mercury poisoning".
Slipping into that vague state of confusion that often followed the sour belches and pungent farts produced by a sudden racking attack of mercury poisoning.
They were gloved and clothed to protect them from mercury poisoning.
Long before she died (if she did die) she would be as mad as a hatter-literally, since it had been mercury Poisoning, mercury used to process felt hats, that had driven the English hatters of the nineteenth century into famous organic psychosis.
When divining is done on this metal a curious phenomena emerges, as by the law of harmony, the diviner feels the symptoms of mercury poisoning and in fact becomes quite ill.
They can live without worrying about lead and mercury poisoning from simply breathing its dust.