The Sweating Sickness, also known as English sweat or sudor anglicus, was a mysterious and highly fatal epidemic that emerged in England during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. This contagious disease progressed rapidly, often leading to death within hours of symptom onset. Unlike other epidemics of its time, such as the Black Death, it was distinguished by its unique clinical presentation. Its sudden appearance and eventual disappearance remain an enigma in medical history.
The Disease’s Symptoms
The onset of Sweating Sickness was remarkably sudden, often striking at night or in the early morning. Individuals first experienced apprehension, followed by chills, violent shivers, dizziness, and intense headaches. Severe pains in the neck, shoulders, and limbs, alongside profound exhaustion, marked this initial cold stage, which could last from half an hour to three hours.
Following the cold phase, a hot and profusely sweating stage began. A drenching sweat would break out, accompanied by intense heat, delirium, and a rapid pulse. Patients often suffered from palpitations and heart pain, along with extreme thirst. Death could occur within 3 to 18 hours after the first symptoms appeared, with a mortality rate estimated between 30% and 50%. If a patient survived beyond 24 hours, recovery was complete.
A Brief History of Outbreaks
The Sweating Sickness first appeared in England in 1485, coinciding with Henry VII’s arrival in London after the Battle of Bosworth Field. This initial outbreak claimed thousands of lives in London by late October. The disease reappeared in a series of major epidemics across England, with subsequent outbreaks in 1508, 1517, 1528, and 1551.
The 1508 outbreak was less widespread and fatal, primarily confined to England. The 1517 epidemic was more severe, particularly impacting London. The fourth major outbreak in 1528 extended beyond England, reaching continental Europe. It spread to Hamburg and across the Baltic coast, affecting areas like Scandinavia, Lithuania, Poland, and Russia. The final significant English epidemic occurred in 1551, after which the disease ceased to recur.
The Mystery of Its Cause and Disappearance
The exact cause of the Sweating Sickness remains unknown. Historical theories for its origin ranged from “loathsome vapors” to poor sanitation, reflecting the limited medical understanding of the time. Modern scientific hypotheses have explored several possibilities, though none have been definitively proven.
One prominent theory suggests a hantavirus as the causative agent, given some similarities in symptoms to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. However, hantavirus infections typically present with respiratory or hemorrhagic signs not consistently noted in historical accounts. Other proposals include forms of influenza or a unique, now-extinct pathogen. The disease’s tendency to occur during summer and early autumn, and its rapid disappearance with winter’s onset, adds to its mysterious nature.
The most perplexing aspect is its sudden and complete disappearance after the 1551 outbreak. Unlike other contagious diseases that became endemic or gradually faded, the English sweat simply ceased to recur. This abrupt vanishing, combined with the lack of definitive pathological evidence, has prevented modern scientists from conclusively identifying the pathogen.
Lessons from a Forgotten Plague
The Sweating Sickness offers important insights into historical disease patterns and public health challenges. Its rapid onset and high mortality underscored the vulnerability of populations to sudden epidemics in the pre-modern era. The disease’s impact on society, including the flight of royalty like Henry VIII from infected areas, highlights the limited public health responses available at the time.
Studying this vanished disease contributes to our broader understanding of epidemiology. It demonstrates how pathogens can emerge, cause devastating outbreaks, and then disappear, leaving few clues. The mystery of the Sweating Sickness serves as a reminder of the complex and unpredictable nature of infectious diseases, emphasizing the ongoing need for research into emerging and re-emerging pathogens.