If Clinical Chemistry Had Existed In 1776: Would There Be A Presidential Election
2004 Annual AACC Convention In Los Angeles Features Research On How Modern Clinical Chemistry Can Explain Creativity Of Classical Artists, Musicians, And Statesmen; Subjects Include Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Berlioz, And George III
As the 2004 presid ential election season heats up with Democrats beginning their party’s celebration in Boston and Republicans making final arrangements for their convention later this summer in New York, new research suggests that the U.S. might never have split from mother England in 1776 if King George III could have benefited from the technological advances in clinical chemistry that are often taken for granted in modern times.
King George III’s ill- treatment of the American colonies, which gave birth to the American Revolution, can now be tied to the king’s insanity, a condition resulting from a genetic metabolic disease known as porphyria, a blood-related disorder. This condition could have been aggravated by high doses of Lead contained at the time in Portuguese wine, a favorite pastime of the King.
Today, with diagnosis made possible through clinical laboratory testing, porphyria can be treated with haematin, a blood product. With such treatment, perhaps, Americans might still pay homage to the British royalty instead of preparing for the upcoming spirited presidential campaign.
Conducted by Paul Wolf, MD, Professor of Clinical Pathology at the University of
California in San Diego and the VA Medical Center, San Diego, the research also examines other links between clinical chemistry and famous artists, musicians, and politicians. For example, Van Gogh’s use of yellow in his later works can be tied to his yellow vision, the result of the digitalis used in those days to treat epilepsy and excessive drinking of absinthe. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel masterpiece includes an image of Michelangelo with symptoms of gout, a condition that plagued the artist during this period of his work and a description of Monet who suffered from cataracts. Others examined by Wolf include Beethoven, Berlioz, Chopin, Cellini, Benjamin Franklin, President Lincoln, President Kennedy, President Roosevelt, Mahler, Rachmaninov.
Wolf’s overall premise is that illness has affected the work and achievements of classical artists, musicians, and statesmen. If clinical chemistry had existed then, according to Wolf’s research, the cause of the diseases might have been determined and perhaps even treated.
The evolving role of the clinical laboratory will be the focus of the 2004 Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC). More than 20,000 clinical laboratorians, physicians, research scientists, and other health care professionals will gather for the convention in Los Angeles from July 25-29, 2004. The meeting will include more than 175 educational sessions examining the latest information on a wide range of clinical
laboratory testing developments, including testing related to assisted reproduction, cancer detection and treatment, osteoporosis, cardiac care, patient safety, and drug interactions related to herbal medicines. Dr. Wolf’s session is scheduled for Thursday, July 29.
AACC is an international scientific/medical society of clinical laboratory professionals,
physicians, research scientists and other individuals involved with clinical chemistry and other clinical laboratory science-related disciplines. AACC provides national and worldwide leadership in advancing the practice and profession of clinical laboratory medicine and its role in improving health care. AACC members develop and perform tests conducted in hospital laboratories, clinics, medical centers, and other health care settings.
