Document Detail


Goethe almost died of urosepsis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10654374     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
In the year of 1805, Goethe almost died of urosepsis. His urological problems were not diseases arising from full health but a new variation in a life accompanied by illnesses. Some sources date the first colics he experienced to the year 1795 and others say 1805. The most dramatic period in the course of his illness was in February, when he suffered from fever of such an extent that one could speak of urosepsis. Recovery took place slowly and was accompanied by minor relapses. Nothing about this is written down in his work. On the advice of his doctors, Goethe undertook a cure in Lauchstädt in July and August. The report of his consultant, Professor Johann Christian Reil, on his problems in the field of urology remained undiscovered until 1937. Professor Reil recommended treatment with thermae carolinae, aqua calcis, soap soda crystallisata, herbae subastringentes, and uva ursi, among other measures. With increasing age, Goethe's colics disappeared. The passing of a stone has never been described. Whereas Goethe hinted about medical problem other than those reported herein, the urological problems discussed in this article were left unmentioned. Nonetheless, literature that deals with Goethe's diseases is interesting from the aspect of both the history of medicine and the history of culture.
Authors:
A J Gross; G Hummel
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Biography; Historical Article; Journal Article; Portraits    
Journal Detail:
Title:  World journal of urology     Volume:  17     ISSN:  0724-4983     ISO Abbreviation:  World J Urol     Publication Date:  1999 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2000-02-11     Completed Date:  2000-02-11     Revised Date:  2008-11-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8307716     Medline TA:  World J Urol     Country:  GERMANY    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  421-4     Citation Subset:  IM; Q    
Affiliation:
Georg-August-Universität, Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Göttingen, Germany. agross@gwdg.de
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Bacteremia / etiology,  history*,  therapy
Famous Persons*
Germany
History, 18th Century
History, 19th Century
Humans
Phytotherapy
Plants, Medicinal / therapeutic use
Urinary Calculi / complications,  history*,  therapy
Urinary Tract Infections / complications,  history*,  therapy
Personal Name Subject
Personal Name Subject:
Goethe

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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