###Human: Why people drink more water in chronic mercury poisoning? ###Assistant: Hi. In chronic mercury poisoning, it binds and stops the functions of SH (sulfhydryl-containing enzymes). It also gets deposited and causes cellular toxicity. If the toxic pathology happens in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), then the patient feels burning inflammatory sensation in the GIT. In order to cool it, he consumes more water. This concept is mentioned in Indian Traditional Siddha Literature. But, no modern study is available on this concept. It also says that even a person become psychotic. In chronic fluoride poisoning, there are no such symptoms as the fluoride target calcium sites like teeth and bones. It also has other effects in internal organs. Many geographical areas are contaminated or rich in mercury and fluoride. The groundwater (or drinking water) is rich in mercury or fluoride. The same water is used for agriculture. Thus, people tend to consume mercury and fluoride through drinking water and vegetables. Fish (from mercury-contaminated sea) consumption also leads to mercury poisoning on a chronic basis.