The Dancing Plague of 1518: A Mysterious Medieval Epidemic
What Happened?
In July 1518, residents of Strasbourg, a city within the Holy Roman Empire, were stricken with a sudden and uncontrollable urge to dance. The dancing plague, also known as the dancing mania, affected hundreds of people, who danced uncontrollably for weeks or even months.
The dancers exhibited a variety of bizarre behaviors. Some danced until they collapsed from exhaustion, while others danced until they died. The plague also caused a variety of physical symptoms, including hallucinations, convulsions, and skin eruptions.
Possible Causes
The cause of the dancing plague is unknown, but several theories have been proposed. One theory suggests that the plague was caused by a mass psychogenic illness, or a psychological epidemic. Another theory suggests that the plague was caused by a foodborne illness, such as ergot poisoning. Ergot is a fungus that can contaminate rye bread, and it can cause a variety of symptoms, including convulsions and hallucinations.
The dancing plague of 1518 is a fascinating and mysterious historical event. While the exact cause of the plague is unknown, it is a reminder of the power of the human mind and the fragility of the human body.
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