A felt-hat factory worker presents over months with intention tremor of the hands, excessive shyness alternating with outbursts of anger, gingivitis, and increased salivation. Which form of mercury and which classic syndrome are involved?

• A Inorganic mercurous salts causing acrodynia
• B Mercuric chloride causing corrosive gastroenteritis
• C Organomercurials causing Minamata disease
• D Elemental mercury vapour causing erethism ✓

Explanation

Chronic inhalation of elemental mercury vapour causes the classical triad of erethism (abnormal shyness, irritability, emotional lability), intention tremor (Hatter's shakes) and gingivitis with salivation. Acrodynia (pink disease) is seen mainly in children exposed to mercurous compounds, Minamata disease follows methylmercury ingestion with neurological and teratogenic effects, and mercuric chloride produces acute corrosive poisoning rather than this chronic picture.

Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.