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Golden BoyAn unknown boy by name
Date of Birth: .
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Content:
- The Golden Boy
- The Tragic Night
- Da Vinci's Intervention
- The Mystery of the Golden Boy's Death
- The German Experiment
- The Conclusion
The Golden Boy
In 1496, a festive procession led by Leonardo da Vinci took place in the castle of the Duke of Milan, Lodovico Moro. Among its participants was a young boy painted entirely in gold, symbolizing the coming Golden Age.
The Tragic Night
As the festivities were underway, the Duke's wife suddenly fell ill, and the celebration ended abruptly. The castle emptied, leaving the boy stranded on the cold stone floor overnight.
Da Vinci's Intervention
Leonardo da Vinci discovered the boy the following morning and took him to his home to nurse him back to health. However, after four days, the boy succumbed to his illness.
The Mystery of the Golden Boy's Death
The cause of the boy's death remained a mystery for centuries. Lack of air or poisoning from sweat retention were initially suspected.
The German Experiment
An experiment conducted in Germany in the 19th century shed light on the matter. Two adult men were covered in varnish, one for 24 hours and the other for 8 days. They experienced no adverse health effects, but they had difficulty tolerating the cold.
The Conclusion
The experiment revealed that the varnish covering the boy's skin caused dilation of blood vessels, increasing heat loss and lowering his body temperature. This hypothermia weakened his immune system, making him vulnerable to infection. Thus, it was not lack of air or poisoning but excessive heat loss that led to the tragic death of the "Golden Boy."
