In this episode Gaby covers the famous Dancing Plague of 1518 in Strasbourg, France. Gaby discusses the possible causes and what the people of Strasbourg tried in order to cure the afflicted. Strap in because this is a fun one!

The introduction is an extract from - Waller, J. (2008) "A Time to Dance, A Time to Die. The Extraordinary Story of the Dancing Plague of 1518".

Contains descriptions of mental distress, physical illness and mentions of child death, a descriptions of a graphic nature which may be distressing for some audiences. Discretion is advised.

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References:

Baller, P. (24th May 2025). "Dancing Plague of 1518". https://www.britannica.com/event/dancing-plague-of-1518

Bartholomew, R. E. (2000) "Rethinking the Dancing Mania." Skeptical Inquirer. https://cdn.centerforinquiry.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2000/07/22164850/p42.pdf

Bogousslavsky, J. (2017) "Neurologic-Psychiatric Syndromes in Focus - Part II: From Psychiatry to Neurology." Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers.

Lanska, D. J. (2017). "The Dancing Manias: Psychogenic

Illness as Social Phenomenon." pp. 132 - 142.

Hecker, J. F. K. (7th May 2007). "The Black Death and Dancing Mania." The Project Gutenberg ebook.

https://britannica.com/science/conversion-disorder [accessed 04/06/2025]

Miller, J. L. (2017). "Divine punishment or disease? Medieval and early modern approaches to the 1518 Strasbourg Dancing Plague." Dance Research, Vol, 35. No. 2. https://doi.org/10.3366/drs.2017.0199

UCL. (25th February 2013). "Psychogenic diseases linked to abnormal brain activity." https://ucl.ac.uk/news/2013/feb/psychogenic-diseases-linked-abnormal-brain-activity

Waller, J. (2008) "A Time to Dance, A Time to Die. The Extraordinary Story of the Dancing Plague of 1518". Icon Books, Cambridge, 2008.

Waller, J. (2009). "Looking Back: Dancing plagues and mass hysteria." The Psychologist.

Waller, J. (2009). "A Forgot Plague: Making Sense of Dancing Mania." The Lancet. Vol, 372. No. 9664. 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60386-X

West M. (25th May 2022). "Ergot poisoning: symptoms, treatment and history." Medical News Today.

Music by Soundstripe:

Goosebumps Cody Martin

Cast of Characters Anseo Anois Instrumental

Cast of Characters Al Athir Background Vocals

Sound effects by Soundstripe

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