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In the summer of 1518, the city of Strasbourg witnessed one of history's strangest events, known as the Dancing Plague. It began with a single woman dancing uncontrollably in the streets, but within days, dozens joined her. Within weeks, hundreds were caught in the same relentless movement, unable to stop despite exhaustion.
Authorities, unsure how to respond, made the situation worse. Believing the cure was to let it "run its course," they encouraged more dancing, even hiring musicians and clearing spaces for people to continue. Some dancers reportedly collapsed from fatigue, heart attacks, or strokes after days of continuous motion. Historians still debate the cause.
Authorities, unsure how to respond, made the situation worse. Believing the cure was to let it "run its course," they encouraged more dancing, even hiring musicians and clearing spaces for people to continue. Some dancers reportedly collapsed from fatigue, heart attacks, or strokes after days of continuous motion. Historians still debate the cause.
In the summer of 1518, the city of Strasbourg witnessed one of history's strangest events, known as the Dancing Plague. It began with a single woman dancing uncontrollably in the streets, but within days, dozens joined her. Within weeks, hundreds were caught in the same relentless movement, unable to stop despite exhaustion.
Authorities, unsure how to respond, made the situation worse. Believing the cure was to let it "run its course," they encouraged more dancing, even hiring musicians and clearing spaces for people to continue. Some dancers reportedly collapsed from fatigue, heart attacks, or strokes after days of continuous motion. Historians still debate the cause.
Authorities, unsure how to respond, made the situation worse. Believing the cure was to let it "run its course," they encouraged more dancing, even hiring musicians and clearing spaces for people to continue. Some dancers reportedly collapsed from fatigue, heart attacks, or strokes after days of continuous motion. Historians still debate the cause.
> Believing the cure was to let it "run its course," they encouraged more dancing, even hiring musicians and clearing spaces for people to continue
@vitalis reminds me of a famous incident of mass hysteria:
The laughter epidemic began on January 30, 1962, at a mission-run boarding school for girls in Kashasha. It started with three girls and spread throughout the school, affecting 95 of the 159 pupils, aged 12–18.[2][3] Symptoms lasted from a few hours to 16 days, averaging around 7 days.[4] The teaching staff were unaffected and reported that students were unable to concentrate on their lessons. The first outbreak in Kashasha lasted roughly 48 days. The school was forced to close on March 18, 1962.[5] When it reopened on May 21, a second phase of the outbreak affected an additional 57 pupils. The all-girl boarding school reclosed at the end of June.
The laughter epidemic began on January 30, 1962, at a mission-run boarding school for girls in Kashasha. It started with three girls and spread throughout the school, affecting 95 of the 159 pupils, aged 12–18.[2][3] Symptoms lasted from a few hours to 16 days, averaging around 7 days.[4] The teaching staff were unaffected and reported that students were unable to concentrate on their lessons. The first outbreak in Kashasha lasted roughly 48 days. The school was forced to close on March 18, 1962.[5] When it reopened on May 21, a second phase of the outbreak affected an additional 57 pupils. The all-girl boarding school reclosed at the end of June.
@vitalis did you invent that, or is this an outbreak of Claviceps purpurea
the cure for ergotism is rattus curativa. ask your plague doctor about it today
Skunkle: Mediocrity SpeedrunnerVerily, mine wench doth soothe mine lower humors come eventide
@vitalis
Maybe they just had some bad bread and we're all on some good LSD.