answersLogoWhite

0

There are many conditions that may cause madness. The expression "mad as a hatter" however, has a most interesting history, so I will recount it here ...

Mercury (Hg, number 80 on the Periodic Table of elements) was not found to be dangerous for many years after its discovery and was used in a wide variety of products such as thermometers and lamps. Many miners wore headlamps that contained mercury, and sometimes when these lamps broke, the mercury would seep into their scalp and cause insanity. Therefore, mercury is a very dangerous substance which may cause madness.

However, "madness" is not a medical term or diagnosis. There are many different types of mental illness.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?