Anthrax and the etiology of the English sweating sickness
Section snippets
Ancient symptoms
The sweating sickness patients described by two contemporary physicians, Thomas Forestier (1485) and John Caius (1551), presented with somewhat similar symptoms, though the terminology – “peine in the back”, “grief in the liver and nigh stomach, “a passion of the hart”, “panting of the breath”, “peine in the head and madness of the same” – is noticeably different [6]. In addition, it is interesting to note that Forestier reported black spots on some of the victims. Those spots may have been the
Modern evidence
A well-preserved body from this period could help determine whether anthrax, or another agent, played a role in the Sweat outbreaks. Viral DNA decays over time, but anthrax spores are forever – as public health officials re-discovered trying to decontaminate buildings in Washington, DC, Florida, New York and Connecticut.
Fortunately, there may be suitable bodies to examine for the presence of B. anthracis spores. According to Thwaites [6], the two Dukes of Brandon left Cambridge during a 1552
References (12)
- et al.
Bioterrorism-related inhalational anthrax: the first 10 cases reported in the United States
Emerg. Infect. Dis.
(2001) The English sweating sickness, with particular reference to the 1551 outbreak in Chester
Rev. Infect. Dis.
(1991)- et al.
The English sweating sickness Sudor Anglicus: a reappraisal
J. Hist. Med. Allied Sci.
(1981) - et al.
The English sweating sickness, 1485–1551: a viral pulmonary disease?
Med. Hist.
(1998) - et al.
Anthrax of the gastrointestinal tract
Emerg. Infect. Dis.
(2002) - et al.
The English sweating sickness, 1485 to 1551
N. Engl. J. Med.
(1997)