���Re the recent article in the Guardian about an article positing yet another "solution" to Darwin's illness, Stephen Black writes: >I find it curious that he does not mention the most recent, Campbell >and Matthews (2005), published in the sister publication of the BMJ, >the Postgraduate Medical Journal. They cover much of the same >ground as Hayman in rejecting other possibilities, but argue that >the cause was lactose intolerance.
Stephen has missed (vacationing?) what I find the most likely explanation, cited on TIPS on 5 October this year: "Darwin's illness: a final diagnosis" (2007) Fernando Orrego (Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile) and Carlos Quintana (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile; Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Chile) Notes and Records of the Royal Society 2007: 61, 23-29 http://rsnr.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/61/1/23.full.pdf+html Abstract We have re-examined many of the abundant publications on the illness that afflicted Charles Darwin during most of his life, including some of the 416 health-related letters in his correspondence, as well as his autobiographical writings. We have concluded that he suffered from Crohn’s disease, located mainly in his upper small intestine. This explains his upper abdominal pain, his flatulence and vomiting, as well as his articular and neurological symptoms, his ‘extreme fatigue’, low fever and especially the chronic, relapsing course of his illness that evolved in bouts, did not affect his life expectancy and decreased with old age, and also the time of life at which it started. It apparently does not explain, however, many of his cutaneous symptoms. We do not support other diagnoses such as Chagas’ disease, lactose intolerance or the many psychiatric conditions that have been postulated. Conclusion In summary, virtually all of the symptoms of Darwin’s ‘mysterious illness’ may be explained by Crohn’s disease, with the possible exception of some of the numerous skin alterations (eczema, rash, erythema and boils) that he suffered, part of which seem to have been present before the Beagle voyage. It is also known that eczema is increased by stress, which Darwin suffered abundantly, and that in inflammatory bowel disease the response to stressors is enhanced. In retrospect, it is of interest that the most accurate diagnosis made during Darwin’s life was that by Dr Edward Lane, who said he suffered from ‘dyspepsia of an aggravated character’, which, at the time, was the closest he could get to Crohn’s disease… Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London http://www.esterson.org ------------------------------------------ [tips] Darwin's illness revisited sblack Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:27:58 -0800 Chris Green drew my attention on another list to an article in The Guardian on yet another theory to explain Darwin's curious set of ailments (see http://tinyurl.com/ydyommv ). We've discussed this matter on a number of previous occasions. The best-known theory is that his condition was psychosomatic, brought on by anxiety associated with writing and promoting his Godless theory. The smart money says this theory is nonsense. The Guardian article is based on a report in the current Christmas edition of the BMJ, where they traditionally publish funny or quirky items saved up over the year (this year more quirky than funny). The article is "Darwin's illness revisited" by John Hayman. It's available at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/339/dec11_2/b4968 (says extract only, but it lies) Hayman claims the disorder from which Darwin periodically suffered (and he really did suffer) is something called "cyclical vomiting syndrome" which is as nasty as it sounds. Two things strike me about Hayman's account. First, he reproduces from Darwin's diary a description of the early onset of seasickness on setting sail in the Beagle. Darwin says it caused him "great & unceasing suffering". Hayman comments, "Darwin's seasickness was clearly more severe than that normally experienced". As someone who gets sick on a ferrry ride, I can speak from experience. Darwin's description is about what one would expect for a sailing ship in the north Atlantic. I suspect that Hayman has himself never experienced this charming phenomenon. He should try it. Second, while Hayman lists and rules out a number of other possible diagnoses, I find it curious that he does not mention the most recent, Campbell and Matthews (2005), published in the sister publication of the BMJ, the Postgraduate Medical Journal. They cover much of the same ground as Hayman in rejecting other possibilities, but argue that the cause was lactose intolerance. See http://pmj.bmj.com/content/81/954/248.abstract and click on free pdf (may possibly require free registration if that doesn't work). Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any way to decide who's right. Digging Darwin up might help, but who's going to approve that, eh? I recall that the same tactic was proposed to solve controversy over Rene Descarte's bones, and his exhumation was initially allowed, but then later blocked by city officials. Stephen ----------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University e-mail: sbl...@ubishops.ca 2600 College St. Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 Canada --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu)
