It's interesting that this has just made it into the Washington Post.
This subject is discussed in great detail in the book (published in 2000)
called "BEETHOVEN'S HAIR" by Russell Martin.  It details the story of
the lock of Beethoven's hair which was treasured by Paul Hiller and how
it eventually found it's way to Beethoven collector Ira Brilliant and
the resultant scientific analysis done at ANL and other labs.

>This article from today's Washington Post says it was lead poisoning.
>
>Study Concludes Beethoven Died From Lead Poisoning

Nicholas J. Yasillo
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