on the crew of His Majesty’s Ship Triumph, &c. 407 
think there cannot remain a doubt that this opinion was the 
true one. 
It is well known that mercury, in its native state, has often 
been administered in very large doses, in cases of obstinate 
constipation, without producing any specific effect on the 
system, merely removing the affection by its specific gravity. 
I have, however, reason to believe, from the accounts of 
Orfila, and others, that if the mercury was to be retained 
in the intestines for some time, and thus subjected to the 
action of the contents of the stomach and bowels, a part 
might become oxydated, and being conveyed into the system 
by means of the absorbents, would there show its specific 
effects. 
But after the removal of the provisions, &c. at Gibraltar, 
many fresh cases occurred, and many relapses amongst those 
who had been cured out of the ship, took place on their re- 
turn to duty on board, which effectually destroys the proba- 
bility of this having been the cause of the succeeding ptyalism, 
and other morbid affections. 
It only remains for me to offer my opinion, of the manner 
in which the system became saturated by the mercury, and 
this I conceive to have been effected by inhaling the mercurial 
vapours ; the quicksilver being then in the most perfect state 
of division, was readily taken up by the absorbents of the 
lungs, and soon showed its influence on the system generally. 
This idea is very much strengthened by the effect which was 
produced on the animals on board, already mentioned, as well 
as by the circumstance of a great number of men being at- 
tacked after the ship was cleared at Gibraltar, and till she 
arrived in a more northern latitude. 
