Unravel the mystery of the Dancing Plague of 1518, a bizarre phenomenon that gripped Strasbourg, France. Delve into the historical accounts, theories, and implications of this inexplicable event that saw hundreds of people dance uncontrollably, often to their deaths.
The Dance Epidemic
In July to September 1518, the Holy Roman Empire’s dancing disease (or dance epidemic) struck Strasbourg, Alsace (modern-day France).
- Between 50 and 400 people went to the dance floor for days. The victims danced, according to historical documents.
- The question of whether or not people danced to their deaths has sparked debate.
Modern Theories
Some speculate that the dance was induced by food sickness caused by the toxic and hallucinogenic chemical compounds of the ergot fungus, which grows commonly on grains used for manufacturing bread.
- However, John Waller in The Lancet argues that this theory does not seem tenable since it is unlikely that those poisoned by ergot could have danced for days at a time.
Stress-induced mass hysteria
This might have been a flourishing example of psychogenic movement disorder in mass hysteria or mass psychogenic disease, involving many people with the même bizarre behavior suddenly. In an epidemic, the behavior spreads quickly and widely.
- Such behavior, caused by the rutheless years (even by the harsh standards of the early modern era), of the Alsatians could have been due to high amounts of psychological pressure.
