Re: Mercury and lead

Petegray wrote -
"Interestingly, a lead compound was also used to sweeten cider in Somerset in
the 17th or 18th century. People used to go to Bath to take the "cure" -
what in fact happened was that the prolonged soakings helped to leach the
heavy metals out of their bodies. I think the compound was White lead, or
lead oxide. Any chemists out there who care to improve the details?"

I'm no chemist either, but I don't believe lead can be "soaked" out of your body
once you've got it into you. Poisonous heavy metals, such as lead, are known to
stay firmly in your body, you will never get rid of them, they will only slowly
enrichen over time.

And, by the way, weren't the Romans famous for their public baths? :o)

Torsten wrote -
"You could also choose to comment
only things you know something about."

That's what I did. I thought it would be unnecessary to point out exactly
what was wrong with your ideas; Omar Karamán had more patience than me.
He said it all very well; I refer to his post.

All the best,
Håkan

Second thoughts: A little lead poisoning made the Roman empire crumble? Well,
what about us, then? Why isn't the Western civilisation going the same way, with
all our thousands of pollutants and chemicals added to our food, air, etc....