Definitions for erethism
ˈɛr əˌθɪz əmerethism

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. erethismnoun

   an abnormally high degree of irritability or sensitivity to stimulation of an organ or body part

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. erethismnoun

   Abnormal excitement of a bodily organ or tissue.

2. erethismnoun

   Any unusual or morbid overexcitement.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Erethism

   Erethism, also known as erethismus mercurialis, mad hatter disease, or mad hatter syndrome, is a neurological disorder which affects the whole central nervous system, as well as a symptom complex, derived from mercury poisoning. Erethism is characterized by behavioral changes such as irritability, low self-confidence, depression, apathy, shyness and timidity, and in some extreme cases with prolonged exposure to mercury vapors, by delirium, personality changes and memory loss. People with erethism often have difficulty with social interactions. Associated physical problems may include a decrease in physical strength, headaches, general pain, and tremors, as well as an irregular heartbeat. Mercury is an element that is found worldwide in soil, rocks, and water. People who get erethism are often exposed to mercury through their jobs. Some of the higher risk jobs that can lead to occupational exposure of workers to mercury are working in a chlor-alkali, thermometer, glassblowing, or fluorescent light bulb factory, and working in construction, dental clinics, or in gold and silver mines. In factories, workers are exposed to mercury primarily through the base products and processes involved in making the final end consumer product. In dental clinics it is primarily through their interaction and installation of dental amalgams to treat dental caries. In the case of mining, mercury is used in the process to purify and completely extract the precious metals.Some elemental and chemical forms of mercury (vapor, methylmercury, inorganic mercury) are more toxic than other forms. The human fetus and medically compromised people (for example, patients with lung or kidney problems) are the most susceptible to the toxic effects of mercury.Mercury poisoning can also occur outside of occupational exposures including in the home. Inhalation of mercury vapor may stem from cultural and religious rituals where mercury is sprinkled on the floor of a home or car, burned in a candle, or mixed with perfume. Due to widespread use and popular concern, the risk of toxicity from dental amalgam has been exhaustively investigated. It has conclusively been shown to be safe although in 2020 the FDA issued new guidance for at-risk populations who should avoid mercury amalgam.Historically, this was common among old England felt-hatmakers who had long-term exposure to vapors from the mercury they used to stabilize the wool in a process called felting, where hair was cut from a pelt of an animal such as a rabbit. The industrial workers were exposed to the mercury vapors, giving rise to the expression "mad as a hatter". Some believe that the character the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland is an example of someone with erethism, but the origin of this account is unclear. The character was almost certainly based on Theophilus Carter, an eccentric furniture dealer who was well known to Carroll.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. erethism

   Erethism is a state of abnormal irritability or sensitivity of an organ or a part of the body. It is often used to describe conditions such as overreaction to stimuli or excessive nervous response. The term is most commonly used in a medical context. The term may also refer to emotional instability and hyperactivity resulting from chronic mercury poisoning, also known as erethism mercurialis.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Erethismnoun

   a morbid degree of excitement or irritation in an organ

2. Etymology: [Gr. irritation, fr. to stir, rouse, fr. to stir: cf. F. rthisme.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Erethism

   Erethism or erethism mercurialis is a neurological disorder which affects the whole central nervous system, as well as a symptom complex derived from mercury poisoning. This is also sometimes known as the mad hatter disease. Historically, this was common among old England felt-hatmakers who used mercury to stabilize the wool in a process called felting, where hair was cut from a pelt of an animal such as a rabbit. The industrial workers were exposed to the mercury vapors, giving rise to the expression “mad as a hatter.” Some believe that the character the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland is an example of someone suffering from erethism, but the origin of this account is unclear. The character was almost certainly based on Theophilus Carter, an eccentric furniture dealer who was well known to Carroll. It is commonly characterized through behavioral changes such as irritability, low self-confidence, depression, apathy, shyness and timidity, and in some extreme cases with prolonged exposure to mercury vapors, delirium, personality changes and memory loss occur as a result. People with erethism find it difficult to interact socially with others, with behaviors similar to that of a social phobia. Although most of the effects of erethism are neurological, some physical problems arise as well, including a decrease in physical strength, “headaches, general pain, and tremors after exposure to metallic mercury” as well as irregular heartbeat. It has been documented that “the tremor in the hands can be so severe that the victim is unable to hold a glass of water without spilling its contents.”

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Erethism

   er′e-thizm, n. excitement or stimulation of any organ.—adjs. Erethis′mic, Erethis′tic, Erethit′ic. [Gr.]

Matched Categories

1. • Abnormality

Anagrams for erethism »

1. etherism

2. heterism

How to pronounce erethism?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say erethism in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of erethism in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of erethism in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=erethism
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Erethism
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erethism
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erethism
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=erethism
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=erethism