A case history of the gradual poisoning of a textile conservator from red lead inclusions (mercuric sulfide) in material marketed as cinnabar is presented at length. The conservator was working on a Peruvian textile attributed to the Chancay period. Visits to the internist, hemoglobin levels, history of lead poisoning in artists and studio habits are described. Chelation therapy was finally necessary to combat the continuous ingestion of lead used for inpainting the tapestry. Excess water-based paint was blown into the air during the treatment. -- AATA