Today’s Possibly Contagious Yet Truly Morbid Fact!
In classical antiquity mental disease was believed among laymen to be unclean. Epilepsy in particular was seen as both frightening and possibly contagious. Superstitious Greeks and Romans would spit when they encountered epileptics; the spitting was supposed to keep the contagion (or the demon) at bay. There is also some evidence that people feared to share dishes or drinking vessels with epileptics. But, most importantly, people who suffered from epilepsy were made to feel acutely embarrassed and disgraced, and tried to hide themselves when they anticipated an attack. The disease signified sin, and, in the eyes of onlookers, the hiding behavior indicated fear and guilt. It is not surprising that in such an atmosphere an epileptic should begin to appear unfriendly or uncoordinated, but this was not a symptom of the disease — it was a reaction to the hostile society.
Epileptic fit, ancient style!
Culled from: Plague, Pox and Pestilence
Mütter Specimen Du Jour!
Untitled ©1994 Arne Svenson
Plaster cast of conjoined twins. These twins are of the type known as ischiopagus tripus, joined at the pelvis with three legs. They were born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1870 and died at the age of thirteen months. They were the subject of a clinical lecture at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.
Culled from: Mütter Museum
Andersonville Prisoner Diary Entry Du Jour!
This is the continuation of the 1864 diary of Andersonville prisoner Private George A. Hitchcock (see the archived version for all entries up until now).
Here’s today’s entry:
September 25th. Clear and mild. It was so cold we could not sleep last night. We are beginning to realize that we must remain here through the winter. Will hope keep us up much longer?
Culled from: Andersonville: Giving Up the Ghost