Mercury poisoning of hat-makers – In 18th and 19th century England, mercury was used in the production of felt, which was commonly used in the hat-making trade at the time. Long-term use of mercury products often resulted in mercury poisoning-induced erethism among hat-makers.[1][2] In the late 19th-century United States, a notable example occurred in Danbury, Connecticut, where hat making was a major industry. Instances of erethism were so widespread among hat-makers, the condition became known locally as the “Danbury Shakes.” It was characterized by slurred speech, tremors, stumbling, and in extreme cases hallucinations.
Fun fact- Mormons believe that Joseph Smith translated golden plates into the book of Mormon by sticking his head in a hat. For decades they tried to hide this and portrayed artwork with him as translating the golden plates directly, but i think it was a lawsuit that caused them to start portraying artwork correctly and owning up to Joseph Smith being a mad hatter sticking his head in a hat to receive the word of God.
Sounds kind of silly when you think about it like that but they’ll of course tell you it was divinely inspired. Just like when he married a 14 year old by promising her family a spot in the highest degree of heaven.
I never considered Joey Smith getting high offa hat fumes. I just figured he liked the smell of his hair grease or whatever they used for pomade. Fun conjecture to consider tho.