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Was the Mad Hatter Really Mad? - Page 2


© Sharon K. West
Page 2

Mar 20, 2001


Although mercury may have been good for making felt, it turned out to be the cause of what became commonly known as the Hatter's Disease or mercury poisoning. What are the symptoms of mercury poisoning? Depression, mood swings, temper tantrums, loss of motor control, schizoid tendencies, and brain damage, just to name a few. In short, it causes one to appear quite "mad." No doubt making hats was considered to be a profession fraught with madness before medical science was able to determine the source of the problem. It was not until 1941 that the use of mercury was banned from the hat industry in the United States.

We can see from this evidence that the case for the Mad Hatter actually being mad is questionable. If he had been a real hatter, he most probably would have been suffering from mercury poisoning.
       

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
2.   Mar 22, 2001 8:34 AM
I had no idea about the origin of that phrase. In fact, I'd never even thought about it! I suppose there are all sorts of phrases we use every day that we don't fully understand. You sure do know how ...

-- posted by kcruver
1.   Mar 20, 2001 8:44 AM
How interesting....and gross at the same time. Camel urine???? People urine??? Ack. I had heard about the use of mercury, but somehow the urine thing must have slipped by me. LOL!

Thanks for a very ...

-- posted by AnneWatkins



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