NOTE: In 2014 Pavlos Plessas presented the compelling theory that Andreas Vesalius died in 1564 from scurvy on the island of Zakynthos. With his permission his original article entitled "Powerful indications that Vesalius died from scurvy" was published in this blog in 2016. His theory was later challenged by Theo Dirix and Dr. Rudi Coninx in this same blog with the article "Did Andreas Vesalius really died from scurvy?". Pavlos Plessas' rebuttal to the latter article is published here from a letter to Theo Dirix. |
|
...continued from: An answer regarding the death of Andreas Vesalius (2). For the initial article, click here. 16. The study’s sample is small, not representative of a general population, based on answering a questionnaire and not observation Clinical studies of this nature face obvious limitations. If the authors are prepared to disbelieve the testimony of people who lived in a confined space with many victims of scurvy until the final fatal outcome, it is no wonder they complain about the study. Doubting is their prerogative, however, the way to discredit the study is to either find an error in the data or its interpretation, or conduct their own study and come up with different results. 17. The quoted personality changes peak on day 107. Certainly not an early symptom Do the authors consider a symptom only when it peaks? Is pain not pain until it becomes unbearable? 18. Elevation of this triad is also found in prolonged semi starvation, and deficiencies of B-complex vitamins |
|
The study at this point refers to Brozek and indirectly to the Minnesota Starvation Experiment of 1944-45, meaning semi-starvation over many months. It is clearly not relevant here as Vesalius did not face food shortages for more than a few weeks. As for vitamins of the B complex if the authors are ready to suggest that Vesalius may have died from beriberi or pellagra I am ready and happy to argue.
19. These changes are characteristic of individuals who are physically ill, as the subjects were 20. Vesalius’ reaction was normal in the view of many passengers getting sick, dying and being thrown overboard 22. Vesalius died from exhaustion combined by illness 23. In order to have a definite diagnosis, it will be important to locate the grave of Andreas Vesalius |
|
PERSONAL NOTE: My thanks to all the authors who are part of this ongoing discussion and who are also friends and contributors to this blog. Everybody is correct in the fact that the only way to find the truth of the cause of death of Andreas Vesalius is to find his grave. The quest is ongoing and hopefully we are closer every day to this objective. Dr. Miranda Sources: 1. "Voyages and Travels in the Levant in the Years 1749, 50, 51, 52" London 1766, p. 147 |
|
MTD Main Page | Subscribe to MTD |