Talk:Boston Corbett
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What the hell is a hatter? And why does it require mercury? 09:22, 14 Apr 2005 by User:196.3.48.10
a Hatter is one who makes hats.
Traditionally, hatters used mercuric compounds in the felting of the beaver and other furs to make the fabric hats are made from. Thus the english phrase "mad as a hatter" and the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.
Specifically, mercuric nitrate was used to wash the pelts which caused the fur to seperate better, and to felt better. This process was called "carroting" because mercuric nitrate was orange. Mercury poisoning attacks the nervous system, causing drooling, hair loss, uncontrollable muscle twitching, a lurching gait, and difficulties in talking and thinking clearly. Mercury was not completly eliminated from hatmaking until 1943 in the U.S. Rick Boatright 18:12, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)
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http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton/Lincoln32.html (link is broken.)