Dancing Plague Of 1518: 506 Old Deadly Disease Which Killed Almost 400 People

 The Dancing Plague was a strange epidemic that struck Strasbourg in 1518. People were compelled to dance uncontrollably, and many eventually died from exhaustion, injuries, or mental breakdowns.

The plague saw people dancing for hours, days, or even weeks without being able to stop. Some of them collapsed and died from the physical strain, while others suffered from psychological issues or injuries.

Several theories were proposed to explain the Dancing Plague. One theory suggested it was a contagious illness, while others believed it was the result of a religious or spiritual influence.

 

 Some doctors suggested that the event might have been caused by mass hysteria, where the psychological condition of one person spreads to others, leading to uncontrollable dancing.

 

 

A popular theory suggested that the epidemic was caused by ergot, a fungus found in rye. This substance, when ingested, could cause hallucinations, convulsions, and mental disturbances, which could explain the erratic behavior.

 

Local authorities took drastic measures to end the plague. They gathered the affected people and encouraged them to dance even more, hoping the epidemic would burn out. This method failed, and eventually, religious leaders performed rituals in an attempt to solve the crisis.

 

 The exact number of deaths is unclear, but it is believed that about 400 people were affected. Some reports suggest that the number of fatalities could be higher, but there is no definitive confirmation.