EFFECTS OF D-PENICILLAMINE ON URINARY EXCRETION OF MERCURY IN TWO CASES OF METHYL MERCURY POISONING

Abstract
There is a considerable amount of literatures on the therapeutic use of BAL or CaNa2EDTA in inorganic mercury poisoning, but little has been studied on the effect of D-penicillamine, especially in organic mercury poisoning. The present authors experienced some cases of methyl mercury thioacetamide (CH3HgSCH2CONH2) poisoning caused by dermal application of the compound for the treatment of a fungus disease of the skin. Signs and symptoms of these intoxicated cases has been found to be similar to those in cases reported by Hunter and Russel and those in so-called "Minamata disease". The present paper deals with results of administration of D-penicillamine in two patients who showed prominent nervous disorders.