Helen, the neurotic hypochondriactic music historian and amateur herbalist, rushes to her doctor to report a weird dream of her having vacationed on the Islet of Langerhans were everything was in ruins, down to the last cell and where the famous Columns of Bertin were crumbling and sloughing off in clumps blocking the Ureter Channel. The anxiety has caused her headaches such that she has resorted to abusing dried and powdered willow bark in search of relief. Her query to the doctor, "Shall I die like Beethoven?" My question to you: What is she talking about?

lanfranco

Not exactly a dream vacation, was it? Well, Helen is worried about her pancreas and renal column, along other things, and she's taking salicin, related to aspirin, which Beethoven may also have abused. As for what he died of, there have been various theories -- lead poisoning, hepatitis, and kidney failure among them. Sounds like Helen is on the downward slope. I hope she's not deaf to her doctor's advice. http://www.stereophile.com/news/090307beethoven/ Aug 08 08, 2:13 PM

truefaithmom

Irregular clusters of endocrine cells scattered throughout the tissue of the pancreas that secrete insulin and glucagon. http://www.answers.com/topic/islets-of-langerhans The renal column (or Bertin column, or column of Bertin) is a medullary extension of the renal cortex in between the renal pyramids. It allows the cortex to be better anchored.Each column consists of lines of blood vessels and urinary tubes and a fibrous material. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renal_column Thick-walled tube that conveys urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder. A blocked ureter can result from congenital abnormality, a tumor, or the formation of kidney stones. Blockage may require surgery to prevent loss of urinary function and eventual urea poisoning. http://plus.aol.com/aol/reference/ureter/ureter?flv=1 Medicines made from willow and other salicylate-rich plants date back at least to 3000 BC, Willow bark extract became recognized for its specific effects on fever, pain and inflammation in the mid-eighteenth century. By the nineteenth century pharmacists were experimenting with and prescribing a variety of chemicals related to salicylic acid, the active component of willow extract. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_aspirin Sounds like kidney stones! And she was taking large doses of aspirin. Beethoven had infections from abdominal surgery, aggravated by lead poisoning from his treatment, which led to his death. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven Aug 08 08, 2:16 PM

edmund80

Both of you may now take your oath ! To tie everything together, I was looking for papillary necrosis, a condition that can be brought on by analgesic abuse and to which diabetics are particularly prone. Beethoven's autopsy suggested as much, as well as liver disease ( to which I did not allude in my question ). Now back to rounds ! http://www.emedicine.com/med/byname/papillary-necrosis.htm Aug 08 08, 2:38 PM