Jane Austen's poor sight 'caused by arsenic'

[nitpicker]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-39208356

Jane Austen's poor sight 'caused by arsenic'

8 hours ago

From the section Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Author Jane Austen was virtually blind at the end of her life possibly as a result of arsenic poisoning, experts have revealed. Tests on three pairs of glasses held at the British Library showed the author's sight deteriorated considerably. At the time, heavy metals like arsenic were used in medicines that Austen, who had rheumatism, may have taken. Library experts have suggested such poisoning may also have contributed to her early death at the age of 41.
(snip)

The three pairs of glasses, kept in the Pride and Prejudice author's writing desk, were examined using a portable lens meter brought to the library to determine the strength of the lenses which, despite their age, remain in good condition. Tests showed they increased in strength from +1.75 in each eye from the first pair to +4.75 and +5.0 in the final pair - meaning she would have found it very difficult to see well enough to read or write by the time she died.

British Library curator Sandra Tuppen said: "There's the possibility of her being poisoned accidentally with a heavy metal such as arsenic. We know now that arsenic poisoning can cause cataracts. Arsenic was often put into medication for other types of illness, potentially for rheumatism, which we know Jane Austen suffered from."
(snip)

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Wow! That's true, this would explain a lot, but it's also very sad

She certainly had a lot more to offer the literary world. It's also amazing that they have the technology to find this out now!

[patricia92243]

2. One of my favorite authors and I am ashamed to admit that I didn't know

that she died at 41.

[watoos]

3. Nothing much has changed

Today the #1 cause of death is prescription drugs. My coworker was born with 1 kidney, he got cancer on it. The surgeon told him he would take out 30% of his kidney. After the operation the surgeon told him that he had to take out 70% because something else was also attacking his kidney, it was Prilosec that my friend was taking for heartburn. Prescription drugs may very well cure what they are intended to cure, but those warnings on the label are there for a reason.

[treestar]

4. Pretty impressive that can be figured out now

Medicine's advances are one of the great advances in culture.

[gordianot]

5. Our ancestors took all manner of deadly substances.

Science prevailed and Government began to protect citizens. About 30 years ago a political party in the United States embraced ignorance so stories such as this one can become common again.

[milestogo]

6. I think arsenic was also used to give one a rosy complexion.

From wikipedia:

In the Victorian era, "arsenic" ("white arsenic" or arsenic trioxide) was mixed with vinegar and chalk and eaten by women to improve the complexion of their faces, making their skin paler to show they did not work in the fields. Arsenic was also rubbed into the faces and arms of women to "improve their complexion". The accidental use of arsenic in the adulteration of foodstuffs led to the Bradford sweet poisoning in 1858, which resulted in around 20 deaths.