Darwin's famous illness is frequently retrospectively diagnosed as psychosomatic (a lovely catch-all term for an illness that eludes obvious explanation), and/or he has been labelled a hypochondriac. But some Cardiff University researchers contend that his symptoms are closely consistent with lactose intolerance:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/ancient/AncientRepublish_1353681.htm Charles Darwin had lactose intolerance ABC Science Online Tuesday, 26 April 2005 Charles Darwin was lactose intolerant, researchers deduce, adding a fresh twist to the mystery of what caused his 40-year-long illness. This would explain the bouts of vomiting, stomach pains, severe tiredness, skin problems and depression Darwin suffered, symptoms a new report says improved when he stopped eating milk and cream. His family also suffered in a similar way, suggesting a genetic component, researchers led by Professor Anthony Campbell from Cardiff University reports in the current issue of the Postgraduate Medical Journal. Darwin wrote to his friends about how his symptoms would sometimes last for weeks, with some bouts so bad that he couldn't work on his theories of evolution and natural selection. For example, the young naturalist had heart palpitations and chest pains before the Beagle set sail from Plymouth on what would be a landmark voyage to South America and the Galapagos Islands. But he didn't tell anyone about his ailments because he was frightened it might prevent him from sailing. Researchers attributed these and other symptoms to everything from heart disease, arsenic poisoning, a pigeon allergy, and a severe reaction to the death of his mother. Misdiagnosis But researchers were not convinced these were the answer to Darwin's mystery illness, which 20 doctors, including his father, failed to treat. His symptoms came and went but did not seem to be triggered by stress, affecting his gut, heart, brain, muscles, joints and immune system. While these were evidence for lactose intolerance, they could also indicate other conditions. Perhaps the most telling evidence was Darwin's own description. He wrote in his health diary how symptoms generally came on within two to three hours of eating, the time it takes for lactose to reach the large intestine. Lactose intolerance is caused by the lack of the enzyme lactase, which would normally break down sugars found in milk products to molecules the body finds easier to digest. So Darwin's body would have struggled to deal with his rich diet, which family recipes show included desserts with custard and cream, and white sauces with vegetables. The only time Darwin got better was by chance, after a drastic change to his diet that meant he coudn't eat custard or milk. He also responded well to hydrotherapy treatment, which involved drinking lots of water. This would have cut his milk intake, the researchers propose. Genetic component Many people in Darwin's family, including his children, had similar symptoms, which the researchers say is consistent with an inherited loss of the enzyme lactase. "What we need now is a blood spot, a hair or even a swab off a document from some skin, so that we can carry out the DNA test [for the inherited form of lactase loss]," the researchers write. While the researchers say the evidence points to an inherited condition, they say his symptoms may also have been exacerbated by a gut infection with the protozoan that causes Chagas' disease. Evolutionary importance Humans are unusual among mammals as they keep producing the enzyme lactose after they are weaned onto solid food. But Darwin did not explain the evolutionary advantage of this in either of his two books On The Origin of Species or The Descent of Man, the researchers say. Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.human-nature.com/esterson/index.html http://www.butterfliesandwheels.com/articleprint.php?num=10 http://www.butterfliesandwheels.com/articleprint.php?num=57 http://www.butterfliesandwheels.com/articleprint.php?num=58 http://www.srmhp.org/0202/review-01.html --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
