Posted on 08/17/2009 4:55:25 PM PDT by ConservativeStatement
MONDAY, Aug. 17 (HealthDay News) -- It's one of the enduring mysteries of classical music: What -- or who -- killed Mozart at the age of 35 when he was at the height of his creative powers?
Now, there's a new theory: He died of complications of strep throat.
The latest hypothesis lacks the inherent drama of murder by a rival or suicide, which have both been suggested as causes of Mozart's death. But Andrew Steptoe, co-author of a historical diagnosis published Aug. 18 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, said an infection makes the most sense, considering medical records from the time, which was Vienna in 1791.
"We have for the first time analyzed the causes of death that were prevalent over the period during which he died," said Steptoe, an epidemiologist at University College London. "This has given us ideas about what medical problems were widespread at that time, and we have been able to link this with the known facts about Mozart's death."
(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...
ML/NJ
Schubert was 31 when he died. Keats was 26.
Strep throat, even with antibiotics is dangerous because the dead strep bacteria can plug the renal nephrons in the kidney and cause the blood pressure to sky-rocket.
ping
A few years back I read an article on this subject.
The conclusion was,as I recall was that Herr Mozart
was done in by a plate of undercooked pork cutlets.
And the true cause of his demise was “Trichinosis”.
Sounded good to me. have loved his music all my life.
Thanks for posting this. Mozart is my favorite. I am especially fond of his Piano Concerto #20 — I love to play it and I love to listen to it.
He also toured a lot and had his own groupies. I think of him as the rock star of the 18th century. He composed over 600 works in his short life. Imagine if he had lived to an old age.
I guess now you know I am a musician.
Tell it to bosses when they rag on employees for being out sick!! I can understand a person who is constantly out ‘sick’, but there are times when it is in EVERYONE’s best interest to stay home.
I had one woman come to work with MRSA pnuemonia and had her IV hooked up to her in her office!
I pitched an every loving fit and when I finally mentioned that it was contagious (and since I sat right outside her office and listened to the hacking, wheezing and coughing all day freaking out at even the thought of breathing in) the bosses had a meeting ASAP.
It’s good to not be out sick, it’s stupid to contaminate everyone else in the vicinity.
Salieri’s fault.
So whatever became of Phoebe Cates?
Thanks for the micro pings, Born Conservative and DvdMom. I’ll read it now.
I don’t know enough of the style of music to make a responsible comment but the history associated with the talent of Mozart coupled with the text of this article is intriguing. Good luck with the music.
Got older, married that Kevin Kline guy, squeezed out some kids. You know the score.
I think he/she meant that George Bush is the blame for everything in some people’s eyes, therefore substitute “George Bush” for “strep throat”.
Scarlet Fever is strep throat with a rash. Many of these "journalists" are idiots when they attempt to write articles pertaining to diseases.
It didn't kill me, but it took my hearing and inner ears.
Run to the nearest ER or Clinic if you get it.
She'll always be this to me. ;-)
Married Kevin Kline. I got there too late to stop it. She'll always be my "Princess Caraboo."
Wolfgang? Dead? Really, you people could have written to let me know! Did someone tell Tony?
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