In a spin: the mysterious dancing epidemic of 1518.
“In 1518, one of the strangest epidemics in recorded history struck the city of Strasbourg. Hundreds of people were seized by an irresistible urge to dance, hop and leap into the air. In houses, halls and public spaces, as fear paralyzed the city and the members of the elite despaired, the dancing continued with mindless intensity. Seldom pausing to eat, drink or rest, many of them danced for days or even weeks. And before long, the chronicles agree, dozens were dying from exhaustion. What was it that could have impelled as many as 400 people to dance, in some cases to death?”
October 6th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
…and what most people do not know that Ecstasy was not invented in the 20th century, but already 500 years earlier in a small French town…
October 6th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Actually, there is a significant history behind St. Vitus and the dancing. He's the patron saint of Rijeka, Croatia (I lived there a brief time.) St. Vitus' cathedral is pretty impressive! Sydenham Chorea is a.k.a. St. Vitus' dance. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sydenham/sydenham.htm
October 6th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
So, they are to blame for musicals!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Macarena
October 12th, 2009 at 5:22 am
Maybe it was that demon–Sweet–from the musical BtVS episode, "Once More With Feeling".
November 4th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Ergotism.