Beethoven's Death

[Joy]

Beethoven died on this day, March 26, 1827 . An autopsy revealed that the immediate cause of death was post-hepatitic cirrhosis of the liver. The autopsy also provided clues to the origins of his deafness. Perhaps lead poisoning? At any point, he had a long suffering illness that finally ended with his death. A few months of pain and suffering I believe.

[Megan]

Was the lead poisoning from the wine he consumed? I'm just wondering if this was the case then other consumers of wine would have suffered the same in some degree or other. AS the lead added was like a slow poison.

[Michael]

I always seem to forget this date.
About ten years ago, everybody was sure that the cause of Beethoven's death was too much lead in his system. Doubts have been cast upon this since then and I wonder at this distance in time if we will ever have a definite answer.

[Peter]

I always seem to forget this date.

Well it was 189 years ago!

About ten years ago, everybody was sure that the cause of Beethoven's death was too much lead in his system. Doubts have been cast upon this since then and I wonder at this distance in time if we will ever have a definite answer.

I don't see why Beethoven would have had more lead in his system than the rest of the Viennese population.

[Joy]

Well it was 189 years ago!



I don't see why Beethoven would have had more lead in his system than the rest of the Viennese population.

That's true. And didn't he go for a long walk in the snow/rain and horrible weather right before he got so sick? Or maybe I'm thinking of someone else? Maybe he had pneumonia or something that brought his immune system down so badly. Also he did have some pretty bad stomach ailments.

[Armando Orlandi]

Dear friends,

Many images, music, lithographs known and unknown (all in connection with the Beethoven's death) can be found on my website:

http://www.lvbeethoven.it/Articoli/1..._Immagini.html

interesting the two exhumations:

http://www.lvbeethoven.it/Articoli/1...sumazioni.html

cemeteries and the Church today:

http://www.lvbeethoven.it/Articoli/1...i_Attuali.html

and the music:

http://www.lvbeethoven.it/Articoli/1...coli-1827.html

Some items (such as the invitation to the funeral) are from our private collection

buon viaggio on the site!

your A---------------------

[Peter]

Thanks for sharing that with us Armando.

[Joy]

Enjoyed all of that Armando, thanks for all the pictures too!

[Hollywood]

Some great photos on your website Armando. Too bad I can't read Italian but I really don't need to be able to understand Italian to enjoy the photos.

[AeolianHarp]

Thank you Armando- moving documents and pictures. Poor Beethoven- his last days were awful for him. Luckily for me my Chromebook has a translator app!