Difficult choices as death nears. As the changes described in this article develop in the final days or hours of a progressive terminal illness, difficult choices may arise. There may be questions about whether to provide food and fluids, receive blood transfusions, or treat infections.
The use of mercury in thermometers dates back hundreds of years. It was widely used because it reliably expands and contracts with changes in temperatures. It is highly poisonous, however, and can enter the body through the respiratory or digestive tracts, or directly through the skin.
A: Liquid thermometers contain either mercury, alcohol or mineral spirits. Mercury thermometers, which are not widely used any longer as of 2015 due to the toxic nature of the element, have a silver liquid in them. Alcohol and mineral-spirit thermometers have a dyed liquid, as the liquids are naturally colorless. Continue Reading