Archeometric detection of mercury: A paleopharmacological case study of skeletal remains of a child with vitamin deficiencies (Rouen, France, late 18-19th centuries).

Objective: The French medico-historical literature reports the common use of mercury-based treatments until the mid-19th century. An exploratory paleopharmacological approach is presented for detecting mercury in a child's skeletal remains suffering from vitamin deficiencies. This aims to corroborate written sources and provide a way to better understand disease therapeutic management.