[Acute mercury vapour poisoning (author's transl)].

Two persons, exposed to high concentration of mercury vapour in their home developed a few hours later febrile illness with interstitial pneumonitis and mercurial stomatitis. Symptomatic treatment was associated with dimercaprol (BAL) and steroïds; an alveolar washing was performed to remove non-absorbed mercury in the respiratory three which seems to be responsible for the observed inflammatory reaction and, sometimes, the delayed development of fibrosis. A review of the literature revealed that such intoxications had been previously described in about 20 cases. Prognosis depends on the severity of the pulmonary lesions. Fatalities have been described in 9 cases (10%); in 8 cases the victims were young children or old people. An acute gingivo-stomatitis is generally observed. The onset of mercurial encephalopathy is an uncommon feature. Renal disturbances are exceptionally described and always mild. There is no correlation between the clinical condition of the patient and the levels of mercury in the urine.