The Curious Clinicians 72 - Bringing Up Beethoven
Jun 13, 2023
Delve into the mystery of Beethoven's deafness and his health issues, with discussions on potential diagnoses, autopsy findings, genetic analysis revealing insights into his health conditions and a possible affair, exploring heritability of Cogensen's disease, and the valuable insights gained from studying his hair locks.
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Beethoven's Treatments
- Beethoven tried many remedies for his hearing loss, including cotton balls soaked in almond oil and Danube River baths.
- Toxic plant applications caused painful blisters, hindering his work.
Beethoven's Health Issues
- Beethoven suffered from various ailments, including chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, and joint issues.
- His final illness involved severe fluid buildup, renal failure, and peritonitis, likely due to cirrhosis.
Autopsy Findings
- Beethoven's autopsy, requested by himself, revealed thickened, sclerotic auditory arteries.
- The auditory nerves were atrophied, potentially explaining his deafness.