Medical tests started in the 1940s and 1950s, searching for the cause of the disease. Initially, it was expected to be lead poisoning due to the lead mining upstream. Only in 1955 did Dr. Ogino and his colleagues suspect cadmium as the cause of the disease. Ogino coined the term itai-itai disease.
Salix babylonica, commonly called weeping willow or Babylon weeping willow, is a medium to large deciduous tree with a stout trunk topped by a graceful broad-rounded crown of branches that sweep downward to the ground.It grows to 30-50â (sometimes to 60â) tall and as wide.It is native to China.alix babylonica, commonly called weeping willow or Babylon weeping willow, is a medium to large deciduous tree with a stout trunk topped by a graceful broad-rounded crown of branches that sweep downward to the ground. It grows to 30-50â (sometimes to 60â) tall and as wide. It is native to China.
These trees are native to China (1), but can be found in Canada and the United States. The region that they cover includes from Canada south to Georgia, and west to Missouri (5). Weeping Willows like a moist environment and can be found along streams and rivers.