Mercury in Beethoven

[dv_dheeraj]

Historian: We can learn about the medical history of individuals through chemical analysis of their hair. It is likely, for example, that Isaac Newton's psychological problems were due to mercury poisoning; traces of mercury were found in his hair. Analysis is now being done on a lock of Beethoven's hair. Although no convincing argument has shown that Beethoven ever had a venereal disease, some people hypothesize that venereal disease caused his deafness. Since mercury was commonly ingested in Beethoven's time to treat venereal disease, if researchers find a trace of mercury in his hair, we can conclude that this hypothesis is correct.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the histroian's argument depends?

a) None of the mercury introduced into the body can be eliminated.
b) Some people in Beethoven's time did not ingest mercury.
c) Mercury is an effective treatment for venereal.
d) Mercury poisoning can cause deafness in people with venereal disease.
e) Beethoven suffered from psychological problems of the same severity as Newton's.

[sunnymet]

Imo A

Sunny

[Rising_Sun]

Though A seems to be the extreme choice, but there is no other good answer.

Here the assumption is that whatever mercury was ingested, body didn't eliminate the whole but retained atleast some portion for it to cause ill-effects.

b) Some people in Beethoven's time did not ingest mercury. --->>> Doesn't matter because argument confirms that Mercury was commonly ingested in Beethoven's time.
c) Mercury is an effective treatment for venereal. --->>> Doesn't matter because argument confirms that Mercury was commonly ingested in Beethoven's time to treat veneral diseases.
d) Mercury poisoning can cause deafness in people with venereal disease. --->>> Doesn't matter because argument confirms that Mercury was commonly ingested in Beethoven's time to treat veneral diseases.
e) Beethoven suffered from psychological problems of the same severity as Newton's. -->> Not a matter of comparison.

[gmat009]

IMO B looks better than all other choices

[ramiy]

imo A.
Apply negation test test the argument splits apart .
None of the mercury introduced can be eliminated.
All of the mercury introduced can be eliminated .... hence weakens the conclusion.

[genius_in_the_gene]

Imo A

[spring2009]

A for me.

[ankit0uc]

deleted

[vinscorpion]

Imo - A

[gcvbt7t]

A for me