The Dancing Plague of 1518: A Historical Enigma
Introduction In the sweltering summer of 1518, the city of Strasbourg (then part of the Roman Empire, now in modern-day France) witnessed a perplexing and alarming phenomenon: a sudden outbreak of uncontrollable dancing. Dozens, and eventually hundreds, of people danced fervently in the streets for days, with some reportedly dancing to their deaths. This event, known as the Dancing Plague of 1518, remains one of history's most baffling medical mysteries. The Incident The episode began in July 1518 when a woman named Frau Troffea stepped into the streets of Strasbourg and began dancing with fervor. She continued this frenzied activity for several days without rest. Within a week, approximately 30 others had joined her, and by August, the number of dancers had swelled to around 400. Many of these people collapsed from exhaustion, and some succumbed to strokes or heart attacks. Eyewitness accounts describe the dancers' movements as spasmodic and unco...