> Or not. The LD50 of water is 6 litres. 

Nice one. Dose makes the poison, true, but some things are completely benign or even essential at lower doses (like water). Conversely, some poisons accumulate over time, amplifying their effect:

> In the late 1800's hat makers, or hatters, used to use mercury nitrate when working with beaver fur to make felt. Over time, the hatters started exhibiting apparent changes in personality and also experienced tremors or shaking. Mercury poisoning attacks the nervous system, causing drooling, hair loss, uncontrollable muscle twitching, a lurching gait, and difficulties in talking and thinking clearly. Stumbling about in a confused state with slurred speech and trembling hands, affected hatters were sometimes mistaken for drunks. The ailment became known as 'The Danbury Shakes' in the community of Danbury where hat making was a major industry. In very severe cases, they experienced hallucinations. The term "mad as a hatter" may be a product of mercury toxicity. The practice did not completely stop until 1943.

P

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