Post-Mortem

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Their lives changed history, and their deaths were mysteries—until now! This book examines the controversial lives and deaths of 12 famous individuals, posing intriguing questions: Was Alexander the Great a victim of West Nile virus? What caused King Herod's gruesome final illness? Was Joan of Arc mentally ill during her trial? Could syphilis have made Beethoven deaf? Did Edgar Allan Poe drink himself to death? The narrative also delves into the mysterious deaths of figures like Pharaoh Akhenaten, statesman Pericles, Emperor Claudius, Christopher Columbus, Mozart, Florence Nightingale, and Booker T. Washington. It traces 3,500 years of medical history through the lens of contemporary physicians' perspectives on the diseases affecting these renowned figures and their potential treatments. Following a case history format akin to modern clinical pathologic conferences, the text describes the illnesses' characteristics and provides insights into the medical, social, family histories, and physical examinations of these famous victims. Ultimately, it evaluates medical evidence, testing various diagnostic theories against established facts and current scientific research to arrive at the most consistent diagnosis based on the historical record.