It was the lead poisoningfrom the water-works...
penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/wine/leadpoisoning.html
'This may be verified by observing the workers in lead, who are of a pallid colour; for in casting lead, the fumes from it fixing on the different members, and daily burning them, destroy the vigour of the blood; water should therefore on no account be conducted in leaden pipes if we are desirous that it should be wholesome'
(or it was the wine that also had lead in it.)
(penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/wine/leadpoisoning.html
'This may be verified by observing the workers in lead, who are of a pallid colour; for in casting lead, the fumes from it fixing on the different members, and daily burning them, destroy the vigour of the blood; water should therefore on no account be conducted in leaden pipes if we are desirous that it should be wholesome'
(or it was the wine that also had lead in it.)
tubaman,
Fri 24 Apr 2009, 21:15,
archived)