Lead poisoning historical perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aksiniya Stevasarova, M.D. Leena Josephin Jetty, M.B.B.S[2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Lead toxicity was first recognized as early as 200 BC.

Historical Perspective[edit | edit source]

• Nicander of Colophon wrote of lead-induced anemia and colic in 250 BC.^[1] Gout, prevalent in affluent Rome, is thought to be the result of lead, or leaded eating and drinking vessels. Lead was used in makeup. Sugar of lead (lead(II) acetate) was used to sweeten wine, and the gout that resulted from this was known as saturnine gout. ^[2]

• The symptoms of Lead Poisoning were described in the book De Materia Medica ,the leading pharmacological text for centuries written by Dioscorides. ^[3]

Discovery[edit | edit source]

• Lead was first mined in Asia Minor (today Turkey) about 6500 BC. A 6000- to 8000-year-old lead necklace was found in the ancient city site of Anatolia. Lead's easy workability, low melting point and corrosion resistance were among its attractions.

Outbreaks[edit | edit source]

• There have been several outbreaks of [disease name], which are summarized below:
• Though Lead was known to exist for thousands of years its use surged in the 20 th century as it was found to reduce burning of fuel and decrease the “engine Knock”,due to its malleable nature it was used for transporting drinking water, soldering food cans, making paints durable and bright, and killing insects. About 80% of workers in Standard oil NJ ,manufacturing tetraethyl lead were found to have lead poisoning .The discovery of which lead to the ban of leaded gasoline in NY and NJ^[4]

Landmark Events in the Development of Treatment Strategies[edit | edit source]

• In [year], [diagnostic test/therapy] was developed by [scientist] to treat/diagnose [disease name].

Impact on Cultural History[edit | edit source]

• Aulus Cornelius Celsus, writing ca. 30 AD, listed white lead on a list of poisons with antidotes (beside cantharides, hemlock, hyoscyamus, poisoned mushrooms, and a swallowed leech), and claimed it could be remedied by mallow or walnut juice rubbed up in wine.

^{[5] [6] [7]}

• Despite his awareness of lead's toxicity, citing many contemporary authorities, Celsus recommended its use in a wide range of ointments applied to wounds to stop bleeding and reduce infection or inflammation. ^[8]

Famous Cases[edit | edit source]

• Lead poisoning, was rather frequent in the 18th century, due to the widespread drinking of rum, which was made in stills with a lead component (the "worm"). It caused the death of many slaves and sailors in the colonial West Indies. Lead poisoning due to rum consumation was also observed in in Boston. 

• In 1786 Benjamin Franklin suspected that lead might be toxic.

• Also in the 18th century, the abdominal pain that people of Devon, who drank cider made in presses lined with lead, was referred to as "Devonshire colic". ^[9]
• In the 18th and early 19th centuries, lead was even added to cheap wine as a sweetener. One of the most famous composers of all times, Ludwig van Beethoven, who lived during this time period and who was also a heavy wine drinker, suffered elevated lead levels (as later detected in his hair) possibly due to that reason. The cause of his death is still arguable, but lead poisoning is definitely one of the possible causes.

References[edit | edit source]

Template:WH Template:WS index.php?title=Category:(name of the system)