Although the mental and physical problems from metal toxicity have escalated in recent years, our very language tacitly acknowledges the historic toxicity
of certain metals: «Mad as a hatter» from the Civil - War - era's crazed use
of mercury
sizing in hat manufacture, «gold fever» from the murderous greed
of early prospectors, «lead poisoning» as black humor for «getting shot,» and, more recently, «get - the - lead - out» exhortations from trainers who would have us exercise long and hard in order to sweat out toxins and melt
excess fat.