Looks like Blizzard did their chemistry homework on this one! This quest takes place in a quicksilver marsh (quicksilver being a common name for the chemical element mercury, 'Hg'). For those who aren't aware, mercury is quite poisonous, and prolonged exposure to it can result in brain damage and dementia. That's why the second line for the completion of the quest, "His obsession with the subject borders on the insane." makes complete sense, because someone experimenting with mercury for too long unprotected would probably be experiencing mercury poisoning.
In fact, if you've ever heard the expression "mad as a hatter" (alice in wonderland anybody?) this came about because hat makers in the late 1800s used mercury for part of the hat making process, so they often suffered from mercury poisoning. So oldschool hat makers were all crazy. It's a real thing!
Just wanted to point it out, because I think it's little details like this that make the game. :P And also, chemistry rocks!