Did Beethoven ever use drugs?

[Preston]

I am not a drug user, but I found this to be an interesting question. I was wondering if anyone knew if Beethoven ever used any drug- like marijuana, opium, etc.? Do you all think he may have, etc.?

[Peter]

There is no indication that he did - he took many different medicines throughout life for his ailments and drugs would have been taken I think only in this context. Most of these were of course useless, harmful even, and he went to many quacks out of desperation. Interestingly he is known to have refused pain killing drugs during his last days.

[Megan]

http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/beethoven/hair/hair.html


The first test was conducted by Dr. Werner Baumgartner at Psychemedics Corporation, Los Angeles. The radio-immuno assay involved examination of 20 hairs to see if Beethoven received any opiate painkillers during the last months of his life. A negative result was obtained, indicating that these hairs did not contain any evidence to support ingestion of morphine or other forms of opiates (such as laudanum). Morphine has a long and historic use as a pain-killer, sedative, treatment for fever, and anti-diarrhea medicine in Europe. The Encyclopedia of Medical History notes that "Before 1870, European medicine regarded opium as a virtual panacea."

[Michael]

I think everybody was surprised that no traces of morphine or any other pain-killing drug were found in Beethoven's hair samples, in spite of the horrendous pain he endured in his last few months, and his doctors have come under criticism for not alleviating his suffering. It has been suggested that he deliberately withheld these drugs from himself because they might have compromised his ability to compose. However, he seems to have enjoyed large amounts of wine whenever he could get away with it.

[Maurice Colgan]

I think everybody was surprised that no traces of morphine or any other pain-killing drug were found in Beethoven's hair samples, in spite of the horrendous pain he endured in his last few months, and his doctors have come under criticism for not alleviating his suffering. It has been suggested that he deliberately withheld these drugs from himself because they might have compromised his ability to compose. However, he seems to have enjoyed large amounts of wine whenever he could get away with it.

Maybe something a little stronger than wine too?

Happy New Year Michael and everyone. I'm back.

http://irelandtoo.blogspot.com

[Preston]

Thank you for the information everyone. I would have thought that of all people Beethoven would have probably wanted opium- because of his constant pains. But he was strong and I guess you all are right, that he knew they probably weren't best for him.

Welcome back Maurice.

[Maurice Colgan]

Thank you for the information everyone. I would have thought that of all people Beethoven would have probably wanted opium- because of his constant pains. But he was strong and I guess you all are right, that he knew they probably weren't best for him.

Welcome back Maurice.

Thanks Preston. I had quite a busy year in 2008. Too much medical stuff to list concerning relatives, but we survived.

[Preston]

Thanks Preston. I had quite a busy year in 2008. Too much medical stuff to list concerning relatives, but we survived.

Sorry to hear about that Maurice, glad you all survived. Hope that things work out for you. Hope that you will stick around too.

[Michael]

Welcome back, Maurice and Happy New Year!

[Maurice Colgan]

Welcome back, Maurice and Happy New Year!

Thanks Michael, same to you and yours.

I'm attempting to generate interest in, "Ireland's National Music Park". An idea of a park where sculptures of all the great composers of the world, plus musicians and singers would be displayed, together in same location!

The statue of John McCormack recently erected in the Iveagh gardens Dublin, close to our National Concert Hall may strike a chord? :-)

The powers that be know we are in need of more tourists to Ireland. Why not the well heeled variety, from Viennna?

http://irelandtoo.blogspot.com Carolan too.

[Joy]

Thanks Preston. I had quite a busy year in 2008. Too much medical stuff to list concerning relatives, but we survived.

2008 was a most miserable year. Lots of medical stuff for us too and too many deaths. We survived also but it's tough.

Welcome back!

[Maurice Colgan]

2008 was a most miserable year. Lots of medical stuff for us too and too many deaths. We survived also but it's tough.

Welcome back!

Joy, living can be tough. We are durable if nothing else. Thanks for the welcome.

How did your "Copying Beethoven" night go?

http://irelandtoo.blogspot.com

[Joy]

Joy, living can be tough. We are durable if nothing else. Thanks for the welcome.

How did your "Copying Beethoven" night go?

http://irelandtoo.blogspot.com

Hi Maurice and thanks for that. The Copying Beethoven night went well and it was very interesting to hear people's views. Everyone who was there absolutedly agreed that the playing of the 9th Symphony was their favourite part.