Hi Ioan,

Lead did not kill Beethoven.

However, lead has killed millions in its most toxic form (i.e. at the end of
a cartridge filled with gunpower) On that matter, there is great irony in the
military switching to "environmentally friendly" bullets.

Beethoven apparently had high toxic levels by today's standards by recent
examination of some of his hair but literature suggests pneumonia and cirrhosis
of the liver as the cause of death.

He lived a relatively long time (57 years) by the standards of the day. Most
folks did not live much into their 40s. There were a great many untreatable
diseases and hazardous jobs taking people out of life early.

Now how did he get lead into his system? Possibly from wine. Lead acetate
(AKA- lead sugar) was used to sweeten wine for a period of time until clues of
its effect were noted. Lead acetate is the culprit in paint and it is what makes
lead paint interesting to kids.

It is likely that he drank wine. His father was reportedly an alcoholic and
there is evidence of it being a potentially inheritable predisposition.

Now was the cirrhosis brought on by lead? or the wine?

Literature states that in adults lead can increase blood pressure and cause
fertility problems, nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, irritability, and
memory or concentration problems but no mention of cirrhosis. It may be
possible however, that the liver condition weakened him and opened the door to
pnumonia.

Kind regards,
Joe

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