Scopoli's work in the field of mercurialism in light of today's knowledge: Past and present perspectives

Abstract

The Idrija Mercury Mine (1490-1994) appointed its first physician, Joannes Antonius Scopoli, in 1754. Most of his descriptions of mercurialism are still relevant today. This study highlights Scopoli's observations on the interaction between elemental mercury (Hg degrees ) and alcohol, on the appearance of lung impairment, insomnia, and depressive mood in mercurialism. This presentation is based on Scopoli's experiences presented in his book, De Hydrargyro Idriensi Tentamina (1761), current knowledge, and our own experience acquired through health monitoring of occupational Hg degrees exposure. Some studies have confirmed Scopoli's observation that alcohol enhances mercurialism and his hypothesis that exposure to high Hg degrees concentrations causes serious lung impairment. Neurobiological studies have highlighted the influence of Hg degrees on sleep disorder and depressive mood observed by Scopoli. Although today's knowledge provides new perspectives of Scopoli's work on mercurialism, his work is still very important and can be considered a part of occupational medicine heritage.

The burden of chronic mercury intoxication in artisanal small-scale gold mining in Zimbabwe: data availability and preliminary estimates

“…One study focusing on the mortality of workers chronically exposed to elemental mercury vapor did not find a higher mortality compared to controls [ 62 ]. Mortality attributable to high acute mercury exposure was confirmed [ 33 , 116 ], as were higher suicide rates amongst people exposed to mercury, these due to changes in personality [ 19 , 117 ]. Furthermore, there is a possible association with increased mortality from cardiovascular disease as a result of long-term exposure in European mercury mines [ 118 ].…”

“…In addition to the mercury body burden measurable in human specimens, chronic exposure to mercury vapors causes erethism, tremor, gingivitis, and other symptoms [ 17 , 18 ]. Already Scopoli, the physician of the Idrija Mercury Mine in Slovenia in the 18 th century, described chronic intoxications of mercury miners including symptoms like tremor, sleep disorders, or periodic contractile movements of legs [ 19 ]. Due to its slow onset and diffuse symptoms, it is difficult to make an early diagnosis of chronic mercury intoxication [ 17 ].…”

Elemental Mercury Exposure and Sleep Disorder

“…"…somnus inquietus, somnia terrifica, artuum agitatio…" are the key words which Scopoli uses (1771, p. 80). He finds that mercury intoxication is accompanied by restless sleep, terrible dreams with nightmares, sleep terrors, and strange, periodic contractile movements of the legs (Kobal & Kobal-Grum, 2010). The reputed clinical toxicologist, Adolph Kussmaul, presented in his book (1861, p. 227) an occupational clinical picture of mercurial intoxication in miners.…”

Metals and Circadian Rhythms

“…From the 1500s, writers have described the condition of miners at this location as sick, suffering from deformity, paralysis, asthma, and other conditions (Kobal and Grum, 2010). In 1754 Joannes Antonius Scopoli was assigned as physician to the mine and subsequently published the first description of mercury poisoning in Venice in 1761.In addition to tremor, respiratory difficulties, personality changes, difficulty eating and sleeping, and other conditions, Scopoli identified sleep disorders as a prominent sign of mercury toxicity (Kobal and Grum, 2010). Scopoli reported difficulty sleeping, restless sleep, dream disturbances, and what we would now term restless leg syndrome.…”

“…The second oldest mercury mine in the world, the Idrija Mercury Mine, is located in what is now Slovenia and has been in operation since the 1400s. From the 1500s, writers have described the condition of miners at this location as sick, suffering from deformity, paralysis, asthma, and other conditions (Kobal and Grum, 2010). In 1754 Joannes Antonius Scopoli was assigned as physician to the mine and subsequently published the first description of mercury poisoning in Venice in 1761.In addition to tremor, respiratory difficulties, personality changes, difficulty eating and sleeping, and other conditions, Scopoli identified sleep disorders as a prominent sign of mercury toxicity (Kobal and Grum, 2010).…”