MDMD: Franklin's Armonica

[bruce sublett]

Caught a show on HGTV (Home and Garden) last night that had a short segment
featuring a glass harmonica played at Colonial Williamsburg.  According to
the musician playing the piece, many of the armonica players in colonial
America suffered neurological distress -- nervous breakdowns, delusions, and
so on.  The word at the time was the the music produced by the instrument
was just too pure and intense for the human brain to handle, which led to
the armonica's falling into disfavor.  The real cause?  Lead based paint
used to decorate the glass bowls, which then was absorbed through the
player's damp fingers.

BS