A rebuttal to claims that the colic was caused by lead poisoning from cider, written by a cider manufacturer17th-century engraving of a cider press
Devon colic was a condition that affected people in the English county of Devon during parts of the 17th and 18th centuries, before it was discovered to be lead poisoning.
The first written account of the colic comes from 1655. Symptoms began with severe abdominal pains and the condition was occasionally fatal. Cider is a traditional drink of Devonians, and the connection between the colic and cider drinking had been observed for many years. The condition was commonly attributed to the acidity of the beverage.
William Musgrave's publication De arthritide symptomatica (2nd edn, 1715) included the first scientific description of "Devonshire colic" – it was later referred to by John Huxham and Sir George Baker.[1]
However, the precise cause was not discovered until the 1760s when Dr George Baker put forward the hypothesis that poisoning from lead in cider was to blame. He observed that the symptoms of the colic were similar to those of lead poisoning. He pointed out that lead was used in the cider making process both as a component of the cider presses and in the form of lead shot which was used to clean them. He also conducted chemical tests to demonstrate the presence of lead in Devon apple juice.
The publication of his results met with some hostile reaction from cider manufacturers, keen to defend their product. Once Baker's conclusions became accepted and the elimination of lead from the cider presses was undertaken, the colic declined. By 1818, Baker's son reported that it was "hardly known to exist" in Devon.
^Alick Cameron, ‘Musgrave, William (1655–1721)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004
Devoncolic was a condition that affected people in the English county of Devon during parts of the 17th and 18th centuries, before it was discovered...
the common bile duct or cystic duct Devoncolic or painter's colic, a condition caused by lead poisoning Horse colic, a potentially fatal condition experienced...
Also in the 18th century, "Devonshire colic" was the name given to the symptoms experienced by people of Devon who drank cider made in presses that were...
In the 17th and 18th centuries, people in Devon were afflicted by a condition referred to as Devoncolic; this was discovered to be due to the imbibing...
producers in Devon. The number of cider producers in Dorset is rising. During the 17th and 18th centuries, a condition known as Devoncolic, a form of lead...
following the Games. However, the horse began experiencing problems with colic, and an ultrasound was performed finding intestinal adhesion. The veterinarians...
exhibiting a staggering gait, unsteady stance, apathy and severe, exhausting colic, ending sometimes in death. Such symptoms recall those caused by the toxic...
retired in December 1991 and survived a life-threatening operation for colic a year later. He took his summer holidays with the Burridge family at Ab...
percent consumption rate possible for a horse. Donkeys are also less prone to colic. The reasons for this difference are not fully understood; the donkey may...
When the spell backfires, Heather intervenes to assist with Anthony's colic. Archie and Tabitha continue opposing Percival, convincing the work crew...
The young shoot was eaten by nursing mothers and given to children for colic. The liquid from boiled shoots was taken for other stomach pains. The seeds...
forming may go on to have abnormalities later in life. Ross, Emily J; Graham, Devon L; Money, Kelli M; Stanwood, Gregg D (18 June 2014). "Developmental Consequences...
attack. Astaire, 4, Irish-bred British-trained thoroughbred racehorse, colic. Jean Byrne, 88, American educator, First Lady of New Jersey (1974–1982)...
Los Angeles Blues – 2012 Denis Ahmetović – Saint Louis FC – 2017 Tomislav Colić – Los Angeles Blues – 2011 Aleksandar Đoković – LA Galaxy II – 2014 Tyler...
Global Information
