The human body, in its attempt to release the toxic elements within, excretes mercury through different avenues. Once an excessive intake of mercury occurs, the body must release the toxins in order to preserve itself. Mercury can be excreted by way of exhalation, hair, urine and feces. Motor functions may become severely disturbed, the speech slurred, the field of vision constricted. In early, extreme cases, victims lapse into unconciousness, involuntary movements, and often uncontrolled shouting.
Autopsies show the brain becomes spongelike as cells are eaten away.
It is proven that mercury can penetrate the fetus, even in apparently healthy mothers. The mode of transportation of mercury in the case of Minamata's disease is through the ingestion of fish. Fish being the main diet of the people of Japan, their high intake caused toxic reactions. The numerous accounts of the above aforementioned effects of mercury poisoning were highly visible within the inhabitants of Minamata, thus owing to the disease's name. After investigation and research of doctor's treating the inhabitants with the debilitations, it was discovered that the results and affects were due to the ingestion of contaminated fish from the sea.