Posted on 12/16/2005 8:49:53 AM PST by ZGuy
Beethoven’s death made headlines last week when researchers supposedly “confirmed” that Beethoven died from lead poisoning.
Now, I don’t doubt that the researchers found “elevated” levels of lead in Beethoven’s skull, but that’s a long way from concluding that lead caused or contributed to his death.
First, the researchers stated that their new findings “confirm the earlier work done on [Beethoven’s] hair samples” – which reportedly had lead concentrations on the order of 60 parts per million.
But there are significant problems with the researchers’ reliance on the hair lead measurements. Hair lead levels in the U.S. have been measured at 100 ppm in children and 155 in adults with no reported clinical health effects.
And the measurement of “elevated” lead levels in Beethoven’s hair doesn’t necessarily indicate that he had toxic lead levels in his vital organs.
Beethoven’s hair lead measurements, in fact, have little meaning and certainly can’t be used to bolster any alleged import of the bone fragment “measurements” – which are of dubious significance in their own right.
Since 50 ppm skull bone measurements in elderly males seems to be of little concern and that lead level may very well be consistent with the “elevated” lead concentrations reportedly observed in Beethoven’s skull fragments – it’s quite likely that lead had nothing to do with Beethoven’s death.
So what was the cause of Beethoven’s death? No one really knows. But based on an autopsy performed the day after Beethoven died, it seems that he experienced kidney failure possibly caused by his overuse of analgesic powdered willow bark and alcohol.
The Argonne researchers’ conclusion seems to be just another overzealous interpretation of dubious measurements in hopes of sensational headlines. Scholars ought to be wary of such junk science-fueled myth-making.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Another view of last week's story.
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sitetest
Does this qualify him as the first "Heavy Metal Artist"?
Jeez, nobody tells me anything.
Dear Argh,
"Beethoven's dead??
"Jeez, nobody tells me anything."
Yes, and he's been decomposing since.
(I couldn't resist!! LOL!!!)
sitetest
!! Well, I'm glad nobody told me about that part.
yawn. Why do people post this tripe?
I thought it was video that did him in...
Touche! LOL
"Scholars ought to be wary of such junk science-fueled myth-making." Hah. This to a culture that tolerates homeopathy and alternative sh|t.
Am I the only guy who remembered that today is Ludvig van's birthday? Happy Geburstag, Maestro Beethoven!
Dear Pharmboy,
No, you're not the only one. I've been searching the Internet to find a good "Beethoven's Birthday" article to post, but I haven't found anything I'd really want to post.
sitetest
Beethoven died at the age of 57. I guess that was elderly for those days.
And I thought it was Chuck Berry.
I'm sure this guy remembered.
Roll over, Beethoven - Get the Lead Out!
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