Difficult choices as death nears. As the changes described in this article develop in the final days or hours of a progressive terminal illness, difficult choices may arise. There may be questions about whether to provide food and fluids, receive blood transfusions, or treat infections.
The use of mercury in thermometers dates back hundreds of years. It was widely used because it reliably expands and contracts with changes in temperatures. It is highly poisonous, however, and can enter the body through the respiratory or digestive tracts, or directly through the skin.
Quick Facts: Mercury is a silvery-white poisonous metallic element. Mercury is liquid at room temperature and used in thermometers, barometers, fluorescent lighting, batteries and in the preparation of chemical pesticides. Mercury is also sometimes called quicksilver or liquid silver.The chemical symbol for Mercury is Hg. Mercury was named after the Roman god.ercury is liquid at room temperature and used in thermometers, barometers, fluorescent lighting, batteries and in the preparation of chemical pesticides. Mercury is also sometimes called quicksilver or liquid silver. The chemical symbol for Mercury is Hg. Mercury was named after the Roman god.