Keratin Deficiency

Mercury Poisoning Cartoon from 1830's

Mercury Calomel Poisoning Cartoon.jpg


The caption under this cartoon says.


Here I am after a course of mercury, my teeth and gums rather for the worse of it; my hair all gone, and my breath having become most intolerably offensive.

The symbol of Western Healthcare is the symbol of mercury. The historic origins of it are the staff of Hermes, the ancient Greek god of Mercury.

I believe this image is from the Middle Ages.

Hg-HS 1B HERMES-WITH-CADUCEUS.jpg