THE HISTORY OF THE MERCURY

Mercury is a chemical element at ordinary temperature is a silvery liquid metal. The symbol for mercury is Hg which is derived from the Greek word hydrargyros, which means "silver water" (Goldwater, 1972). The Romans called mercury "Vivum Argentum" which means "Quick Silver" or "liquid silver" because it was the only known element that was liquid at room temperature.

Mercury has been known since ancient times and has been used by almost every culture. Have been attributed magical powers both for good as for evil (Goldwater, 1972). He is also considered as one of the ways to protect themselves from "evil eye." He believed he could prevent diseases such as rheumatism, dysentery and colic. Aristotle recommended this item diluted with saliva to treat certain skin diseases. In some places farmers used it to produce better crops.

In India it was thought that Mercury was a very effective aphrodisiac. Therefore, consuming large amounts of the element with the hope of recovering or increase sexual vitality. The Arabs used mercury as an essential medicine to treat skin diseases. The Italians took these ideas and used mercury as a treatment against lice and scabies (D'Itri and D'Itri, 1977) (Sunderman, 1988).

The history of mercury in pharmacology is extensive. Over time the mercury was acquiring legendary magical powers that extended to medicine and came into use as a treatment for syphilis (Sunderman, 1988). Mercury was also used to treat eye diseases and blood. Later he thought it was safe to eat an item so heavy, so it is recommended to dilute wine consumption or milk (D'Itri and D'Itri, 1977).

In the Middle Ages begin to identify the adverse effects of mercury use. Many of the workers of the mercury mines in Spain became seriously ill or died of poisoning. Some of the people treated with mercury-based drugs, suffered from abnormal salivation, descontinuándose this type of treatment for that reason (D'Itri and D'Itri, 1977).

In the Middle Ages, Paracelsus was the first man who tried to explain the adverse effects of mercury in humans. He thought how dangerous mercury was ingested apply externally and not hurt because it would eliminate the body as sweat, stool or urine. Other mercurialistas recommended the use of the element in the form of ointments, until inhaled and ingested. Short or long term, the patient worsened and became susceptible to other diseases that could cause death.

In the 16th century, became known other adverse effects of mercury, and its use began to decline. For the year 1557, the Frenchman Jean Fernel was the first to describe the symptoms and signs of mercury poisoning. At that time, mercury was used in medicine as antidiuretic. Mercury was the first substance to be legislated to control disease causing (Goldwater, 1972).

Very abundant chemical element in the earth's crust, is native or combined with sulfur in cinnabar. liquid in normal conditions, white and silver sheen, is very heavy, toxic, poor conductor of heat and electricity very well. Used in the manufacture of pesticides, tools, mirrors, alloy with gold and silver, in dentistry. Some of their salts have medical applications.