This unusual, recurrent epidemic illness has popped its head in and out of the annals of history. It goes by many names: the English Sweats, coma somnolentum, Schlafkrankheit ("sleep sickness"), and the Nona, to name a few.
The last time it was widespread was during the influenza pandemic of 1915-1926, but medical case studies and reports of recurrent epidemcis date back to the 16th century.
Is it a new viral or bacteral illness? Or something more complicated?
We'll do our best to sort it out in this episode of the show.
Sources:
-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encephalitis_lethargica
-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Sacks
-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awakenings
-Encephalitis lethargica: 100 years after the epidemic: Brain, Volume 140, Issue 8, August 2017, Pages 2246–2251, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awx177
-https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/140/8/2246/3970828?login=false
-----
Patreon Page (support the show)
-----
Submit a Question for Non-Medical Advice Segment (website form with instructions)
-----
Podcast Linktree (social media links / reviews / ratings)
-----
Physician Serial Killer - Dr. Thomas Neill Cream (aka The Lambeth Poisoner)
Princess Diana - A Historic Case in Trauma Surgery
Anaphylaxis, Adrenaline, and the Invention of the Autoinjector Epinephrine Pen
Bier, Balls, & Cocaine: The Origin Story of Spinal Anesthesia.
A Tale of Cows and Presidential Heart Attacks: A Wisconsin Medical History Story
U.S. Civil War Ambulance Corps (with National Museum of Civil War Medicine)
The Madness of King George III - A Possible Explanation
The Facemaker with Special Guest - Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris
Dr. Joseph Lister (via The Butchering Art - By Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris)
The History of Kings and Colonics
Bedlam Hospital
Mercury As Medicine
Florence Nightingale
Hypothermia (The Coldest Case of Survival on Record)
Radium (Marie Curie and the Radium Girls)
Corpse Medicine - Eating the Dead for Your Own Health
Diphtheria (aka "The Strangler") - Another Good Reason for Vaccination
Pirate Medicine! Healthcare and Scurvy on the High Seas
Dr. James Barry - Amazing Story, Twist Ending
The Hotel Dieu (The Oldest Running Hospital in the World)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Irish Songs with Ken Murray
History Obscura
Historycal: Words that Shaped the World
The Rest Is History
Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra