Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Louis Tanquerel des Planches

  • Lead poisoning—not vanquished

    Humans began to introduce harmful lead into their bodies thousands of years ago, causing symptoms that the Greek philosopher Nikander of Colophon recognized around 2000 BC. The lead entered the body through pipes, paints, gasoline, and countless other applications and was distributed by the bloodstream to the brain, kidneys, liver, and bones. Stored in bones and…