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Was it epilepsy?: misdiagnosing Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
Perspectives in Biology and Medicine
|December 31, 2013
Summary
This article refutes Lyndall Gordon's epilepsy hypothesis for Emily Dickinson, analyzing her medical history and rejecting the diagnosis on scientific and clinical grounds. Gordon's claims about glycerine and family history are challenged.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Literary Biography
- Neurology
Background:
- Lyndall Gordon's biography "Lives Like Loaded Guns" proposes Emily Dickinson had epilepsy.
- Gordon bases her hypothesis on Dickinson's use of glycerine and a supposed family history of epilepsy.
- This diagnosis is presented as a solution to the mystery of Dickinson's reclusion.
Discussion:
- This article critically examines Gordon's hypothesis regarding Emily Dickinson's alleged epilepsy.
- The analysis focuses on scientific, clinical, and biographical evidence to evaluate the diagnosis.
- Gordon's interpretation of glycerine as an anti-epileptic and her claims of a genetic epilepsy strain are scrutinized.
Key Insights:
- Gordon's hypothesis that Emily Dickinson suffered from epilepsy is refuted.
- The use of glycerine by Dickinson is re-evaluated, questioning its link to epilepsy treatment.
- A differential diagnosis of Dickinson's medical history is established, excluding epilepsy.
Outlook:
- Further research into Dickinson's medical history can clarify her health conditions.
- Re-evaluating biographical interpretations through rigorous scientific and clinical lenses is crucial.
- Understanding historical figures' health requires careful consideration of contemporary medical knowledge and evidence.
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