Its in the Google search. Go to:
http://www.btinternet.com/~ian.borthwick/LADAS/prog/01_napoleon.html
for an update.
'To begin with, H. Smith discovered a high mean level of arsenic in the
piece of Napoleon's hair shaved on 6 May 1821 (a lock belonging to Marchand
and kept by the Musée de l'Armée), but he also found the same level (10 ppm)
in a strand of Napoleon's hair given to the artist Isabey in 1805 (14
germinal, Year XIII). This result confirmed Forshufvud's theory that
Napoleon suffered chronic arsenic poisoning during 1820 and 1821, and
presumably in 1805 as well.'
Apparently he was given tartar emetic, bitter almonds and calomel before he
died - routine treatments in those days. I'd be surprised if he wasn't
taking/given some sort of arsenic-containing preparation as well, even if
only as impurity in the tartar emetic, or using one against head lice (?).
All speculation as to what really happened. Don't know about the 'Maderia'
though!
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: IAN WATSON [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 25 October 2001 14:30
To: Flanagan Robert; [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Maternal exposure to lead
Didn't Dr Hamilton-Smith of Glasgow University Forensic Dept work with
aSwede [circa 1965] who had obtained hair samples of Napolean and showed by
neutron activation analyses that perfidious Albion did for him by putting
arsenic in his personal supply of Maderia?
Ian Watson
>>> Bob Flanagan <[log in to unmask]> 10/23/01 02:50pm >>>
Just do a google search for: napoleon arsenic wallpaper st helena - it
generates 76 entries...
'The wallpaper in his room was dyed with Scheele's Green, a colouring
pigment that had been used in fabrics and wallpapers from around 1770. Named
after the Swedish chemist who invented it, the dye contained copper
arsenite.'
Best wishes
Bob Flanagan
-----Original Message-----
From: Breimer, Lars {PDC2~Welwyn} [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 23 October 2001 10:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Maternal exposure to lead
Importance: Low
Dear Friends
The French claim that Napoleon was poisoned by arsenic or lead in the
wall-paper and paint of the house where he was kept on St Helena. I think
that over the past two centuries many and various internationally respected
forensic experts have generated column-miles on this topic. One of them was
a Swede I think. Does anyone have a couple of references on this trivia?
It will not help this case but may be intersting light reading leading up to
the holidays.
Kind regards
Lars
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 23 October 2001 09:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Maternal exposure to lead
She would possibly be reassured by the fact that the Victorians managed to
survive and build an empire despite their use of lead pipes: i.e. her worry
now is because serum lead levels are high; previously when they could not
measure lead they did not worry but still developed normally. However, it is
also rumoured that one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire was
lead pipes, as opposed to the view that they became too fond of good living
to join the Army.
Therefore there are likely to be few ill effects (if any) for her current
fetus. In the long term though, repiping the house is a logical first step
because any treatments given to assist lead removal from the mother may
increase lead exposure to the fetus. If nothing else this will ensure her
next pregnancy is less stressed by heavy metals [she will have to find
something else to worry about].
TIM
**************************************************************************
Prof. Tim Reynolds,
Clinical chemistry Dept.,
Queen's Hospital,
Belvedere Rd.,
Burton-on-Trent.
tel: +44 (0) 1283 511511 ext 4035
fax: +44 (0) 1283 593064
email: [log in to unmask]
[alternative email for when all too frequently NHS Net isn't working
[log in to unmask]]
-----Original Message-----
From: c=GB;a=NHS;p=NHS NATIONAL
INT;dda:RFC-822=ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN(a)JISCMAIL.AC.UK;
Sent: 23 October 2001 05:11
To: c=GB;a=NHS;p=NHS NATIONAL
INT;dda:RFC-822=ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN(a)JISCMAIL.AC.UK;
Subject: Re: Maternal exposure to lead
The blood lead level in the mothers blood is very high and it is essential
to immediately identify the source of lead and to minimise her and her
families exposure. The exposure from lead pipes can be minimised by flushing
the pipes for 5 minutes before use but this should be backed up by water
lead measurements before and after the flush.
Feedback would be useful on the sources and quantity of lead she is exposed
to.
Lead levels in cord blood are not significantly different from those in
maternal blood. "Int J Gynecol Obstet 1988, 26;213-221"
"We tortured the data until it confessed."
Trevor Walmsley, Canterbury Health Labs, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Phone: (0064 3) 364 0326 Fax:Phone: (0064 3) 364 0320
eMail: [log in to unmask]
Internet: http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/chlabs/staff/trevorw.htm
>>> "Dr Robert Hill, Clinical Chemistry @KMC"
<[log in to unmask]> 23/10/01 6:19 am >>>
Is there a blood lead threshold during pregnancy below which it is known
that no harm is done to the foetus?
A worried Mum-to-be has discovered lead pipes in her house. Is it possible
to reassure her when her blood lead is 1.5 umol/L at 15 weeks?
** This email and attachments have been scanned for content and viruses
and is believed to be clean **
This email or attachments may contain confidential or legally
privileged information intended for the sole use of the addressee(s).
Any use, redistribution, disclosure, or reproduction of this message,
except as intended, is prohibited. If you received this email in error,
please notify the sender and remove all copies of the message,
including any attachments. Any views or opinions expressed in this
email (unless otherwise stated) may not represent those of Canterbury
District Health Board.
**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
www.mimesweeper.com
**********************************************************************
**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
www.mimesweeper.com
**********************************************************************
|
