Painful Joints. — Acrodynia is a name given to a peculiarly painful disease affecting the joints, causing swelling of the wrists and ankles, accompanied by an eruption and fever. It is mentioned by several authors as identical with breakbone fever or dengue, which is described elsewhere[1].[1] We now know that Acrodynia was caused by mercury poisoning. It has become rare following the removal of mercury chloride (calomel) from teething powders in the 1950s (informed by the discovery of elevated mercury levels in children with acrodynia).
Excerpts from J. H. Greer's "A Physician in the House: for family and individual consultation", published in 1897. Annotations provided throughout. This is not medical advice - if you're sick, see a doctor.