Prior to his death in 1827, composer Ludwig van Beethoven suffered from edemas(浮腫)of the abdomen(腹部). His doctor treated this condition by puncturing Beethoven's abdominal cavity(腔)and then sealing the wound with a lead(鉛)-laced poultice(湿布). Forensic(犯罪学の)analysis of Beethoven's hair has shown that lead concentrations in his body spiked after each visit to his doctor, and these medical treatments may have contributed to his untimely death. Though the poultice did not contain lethal lead doses, Beethoven also suffered from cirrhosis(肝硬変)of the liver, and the lead further damaged the afflicted(病気の、負傷した)organ.