Not Just the Rum that Kills You — Lead Poisoning in Sailors and Soldiers in the 18th Century West Indies

For Royal Navy sailors and British soldiers in the West Indies during the 18th century, rum was a refuge for the discomforts of the duties of the day. The rum also may have been killing them. It wasn’t the alcohol, but … Continue reading

New Study May Debunk Lead Poisoning Theory in Franklin Expedition

Exactly what happened to the ill-fated Franklin expedition remains a mystery.  in 1845, Captain Sir John Franklin, with a crew 129, attempted to traverse the last unnavigated section of the Northwest Passage and never returned.  Some of the bodies expedition crew have been found but the wrecks … Continue reading