How can mercury be removed from a person after they have ingested it?

The proper first aid for a person who has eaten metallic mercury or a
mercuric compund would be to make the person vomit.  This can be done
by triggering the emesis reflex (e.g. by sticking a finger into the
person's throat) or by giving a drug that makes the person throw up. 
A gastric lavage (removing the gut contents with a suction tube) can
also be useful, but this must be done by a doctor.

Activated charcoal, milk or raw egg whites should be given orally to
avoid absorption of mercuric compunds from the intestines.

The patient should also recieve treatment with an approperiate
chelating agent such as DMPS (the sodium salt of
2,3-dimercapto-1-propane sulfonic acid).  A chelating agent is a
chemical compound that is able to bind heavy metal salts.  The
treatment usually lasts for around three weeks.

Another chelating substance known as dimercaprol (or BAL) have been
used to treat mercury poisoning, but this practice is now discouraged.
 BAL may actually enhance passage of organic mercury compounds across
the blood-brain barrier.


Sources of information:
The Merck Manual, http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/tables/307tb3n.jsp
Felleskatalogen [the Norwegian Drug Manual], 2003 edition

---

Clarification of Answer by blazius-ga on 30 Mar 2004 09:24 PST

You can find a useful article on emergency treatment of mercury
ingestion here: http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic813.htm

---

Request for Answer Clarification by lina2-ga on 31 Mar 2004 09:21 PST

The ingestion of mercury I was referring to was ingested over a long
period of time (several yrs eating contaminated fish) not for example
out of a broken therometer.

---

Clarification of Answer by blazius-ga on 31 Mar 2004 09:47 PST

If the patient has signs of chronic mercury poisoning such as
gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), mental disturbances or
neurological deficits AND a suspected history of exposure to mercuric
compunds the same kind of treatment can be used.  The patient's
exposure to mercury can be evaluated through urine and fecal (stool)
samples.

(As always, pleas be aware of Google Answers standard disclaimer at
the bottom of this page: "Answers and comments provided on Google
Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute
for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax,
legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice."  If you
are concerned about your own or some else's health, you should consult
a physician.)