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.
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is commonly known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum.Mercury is the only metallic element that is liquid at standard conditions for temperature and pressure.Mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, manometers and many other devices.Concerns about the element's toxicity have led people to look for alternatives such as alcohol or galinstan-filled thermometers.ercury is used in thermometers, barometers, manometers and many other devices. Concerns about the element's toxicity have led people to look for alternatives such as alcohol or galinstan-filled thermometers.