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Subject: [CoTyrone] "Mad as a Hatter"
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2001 09:06:45 EDT

The information that I have indicates that there is very definitely a
relationship between the occupation of felting hats and
neurologic/psychiatric syndrome which, I understand, is called "mad hatter's
disease" or erythism.

This information that I have on that syndrome comes from an article published
in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 89, No. 1, March 2001,
written by Charles E. Healy, Ph.D., DABT, entitled "Ancestral Occupations and
the Impact of the Workplace on Daily Life: An Application of the Science of
Toxicology." Dr. Healy is not only a genealogist but a Diplomat of the
American Board of Toxicology.

According to Dr. Healey, the mercury used in felting would vaporize at room
temperature, becoming a health hazard. The vapor would be inhaled and, by
way of the blood stream, go to the central nervous system. Continued
exposure to this toxin could lead to tremors, etc., with later behavioural
and personality changes seen. Those could include memory loss and
excitability along with possible delirium and hallucinogenic symptoms
considered to be "classic signs of mercury poisoning."

These symptoms were the bases for the "Mad Hatter" in "Alice in Wonderland,"
according to Dr. Healy.

Carolee Smith, New Jersey, USA

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