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espite persistent assurances from dental associations around the globe that dental amalgam presents no threat to health, the use of mercury in dental fillings is now the centre of lively debate. Silver-mercury fillings have been used in the service of dental therapy since the early 1800's, but until recently, the worry that the mercury content of fillings might be slowly poison- ing their recipients has lacked a sufficient basis in rescarch to make the charge scientifically audible. Much literature has now accumu- lated, however, to show that the use of mercury in dental therapy may constitute yet another health hazard resulting from our obses- sion with chemical technology at nature's expense. TEETH? ARTICLE? Mercury and its compounds have been associated with medical treatments for over two millennia particularly in the areas of birth control and as a cure for syphilis. In ancient Greece, large quanti- ties of elemental mercury were taken orally to cause abortion. Later other mercurial compounds were used. Until recently, both organic and inorganic mercury compounds, being spermicides, have been used in contraceptive tablets, jellies, and vaginal douch- es. Even after the introduction of birth control pills, several mercu- rial preparations remained on the markct.' Following the plagues of syphilis which spread through Europe after 1493AD, death from mercury overdose was not uncommon and it has been suggested that the behavioural abberations of a number of European kings and nobles since the 16th century may well have reflected the mental deterioration caused by the advanced stages of syphilis and its treatment with mercury? Despite mercury treatments, by the 17th century, syphilis was so widespread that prostitutes were occasionally sent out as a military weapon to “lay waste” to the invading armies. P. and F. D'Itri com- ment that Dr. Ronald S. Laura, John F. Ashton, Professor in Education, | Education Department University of Newcastle | University of Newcastle Some authorities have speculated that the ravages of the disease and its treatment with mercurials, both of which destroy brain cells, could have undermined the mental capacity and emotional stability of the entire population of 16*NEXUS JUNE-JULY 1992 DO YOU HAVE MERCURY AMALGAM FILLINGS IN YOUR DO YOU RECOGNISE THE SYMPTOMS LISTED IN THIS MERCURY AND ITS USE IN MEDICINE NEW RESEARCH NOW QUESTIONS THE SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MERCURY AMALGAM AS FILLINGS FOR DENTAL CAVITIES. READ THIS IF YOU DARE!