The Washington Post today carried this article detailing new developments in research on the death of Beethoven. By using a sophisticated new x-ray technique, scientists have determined that he was killed by lead poisoning. Precisely where the lead came from is not clear... perhaps lead-lined wine glasses or even as part of the medicines he was taking for his many other ailments. Since deafness is not normally associated with lead poisoning, it's thought his most famous handicap was actually caused by something else, also unknown.

Lead lined wine glasses. It's a wonder anyone survived those times.