High levels of lead detected in authenticated locks of Ludwig van Beethoven's hair suggest that the composer had lead poisoning, which may have contributed to ailments he endured over the course of his life, including deafness, according to new research.
A statue of Ludwig van Beethoven stands outside the opera house in Hannover, Germany on Monday, Aug. 31, 2009. High levels of lead detected in authenticated locks of Ludwig van Beethoven’s hair suggest that the composer had lead poisoning, which may have contributed to ailments he endured over the course of his life, including deafness, according to new research.
The findings, published in a March 2023 report, revealed that Beethoven had significant genetic risk factors for liver disease and a hepatitis B infection before his death. But the results didn’t provide any insights into the underlying causes of his deafness, which began in his 20s, or his gastrointestinal issues.
It was very common during Beethoven’s lifetime for people to collect and keep locks of hair from loved ones or famous people, said William Meredith, Beethoven scholar and study coauthor of the 2023 genomic analysis and the latest study. The study authors do not believe the lead poisoning was solely responsible for Beethoven’s death or deafness. But he experienced symptoms of lead poisoning throughout his life, including hearing loss, muscle cramps and renal abnormalities, Rifai said.
He said he hopes to access old locks of hair people have from their families to determine the baseline level of the population at the time since there is no documentation. Lead poisoning appears to be the fourth factor that contributed to his liver failure, apart from genes that predisposed Beethoven toward liver disease, his hepatitis B infection and his penchant for drinking alcohol, Meredith said.The composer wrote a letter to his brothers in 1802 asking that his doctor, Johann Adam Schmidt, determine and share the nature of his “illness” once Beethoven died. The letter is known as the Heiligenstadt Testament.
May 7 marked the 200th anniversary of the first performance of Beethoven’s famed Ninth Symphony, largely regarded as his greatest work and his final symphony. Completely deaf at the time, Beethoven was onstage as one of the conductors, but the orchestra was instructed to follow the conducting of Beethoven’s friend, who was also onstage.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.A Quebec man has pleaded guilty in a 2022 hit-and-run in Montreal that killed seven-year-old Mariia Legenkovska, a Ukrainian refugee who had just fled the Russian invasion in Ukraine.B.C. launches dedicated squad for gang-related homicides
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S. A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.A Nova Scotia RCMP detachment was damaged after an impaired driver allegedly crashed into the building in Waycobah early Thursday morning.Winnipeg trial hears victims' clothing, DNA found in serial killer's apartment
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bonds for Florida High-Speed Rail Pop in Market ‘Starved’ for High-Yield MunisMunicipal bonds issued last week for Florida’s private rail operator, Brightline, climbed in the secondary market as investors clamored for new high-yield securities.
Read more »
B.C. private school provides a multicultural experience with extensive academic opportunitiesBodwell High School delivers high-quality education and well-rounded extracurriculars to nurture tomorrow's leaders
Read more »
B.C. boarding school broadens horizons for local and international studentsBodwell High School blends high-quality private education with cultural diversity
Read more »
5 fun facts about Beethoven's 9thKevin John Edusei conducts Chineke! during a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 at the 2022 BBC Proms in London, England.
Read more »
In Beethoven’s Nine, Canadian documentarian becomes a storyline after a devastating lossLarry Weinstein became part of the plot in Beethoven’s Nine: Ode to Humanity after a tragedy struck while the film was in production
Read more »
Boeing Locks Out Its Firefighters In Labor DisputeDave Jamieson has been HuffPost's labor reporter since 2011. Before joining the D.C. bureau, he was a staff writer at Washington City Paper and a freelancer contributing to Slate, the New Republic, the Washington Post and Outside magazine, among other outlets.
Read more »