08/25/2023
I would like to share twice I have read a correlation between a large population of people of Hampstead Heath in the UK becoming ill with myasthenia gravis in 1939 due to the agonies of defeat from the war. This is clearly the effects of mental/emotional distress on physical health:
In the year 1939, a pivotal event transpired on Hampstead Heath, United Kingdom, coinciding with a notable upsurge in reported cases of Myasthenia Gravis (MG). Delving into this intriguing juxtaposition of historical context and health outcomes, we uncover intriguing connections and potential effects:
● Historical Context:
➢ The event of 1939 involved a significant wartime defeat, casting an aura of collective stress and uncertainty across the region.
➢ Analogous historical situations have indicated that heightened stress levels during such events can significantly impact health outcomes.
● Stress and Disease Relationship:
➢ Stress, a well-documented influence on health, emerges as a key consideration in this context.
➢ During times of intense stress, the body's immune response can be disrupted, possibly leading to the emergence or exacerbation of certain health conditions.
➢ Myasthenia Gravis (MG), an autoimmune disorder, could potentially be triggered or worsened by the stress experienced during the historic event.
● Thymectomy's Role:
➢ The introduction of thymectomy, a medical procedure involving the removal of the thymus gland, is a critical aspect of this narrative.
➢ Thymectomy influences immune system function and has implications for the diagnosis and management of MG.
➢ The medical advancement in 1939 potentially enhanced diagnostic capabilities, leading to the identification of previously undiagnosed cases of MG.
● Comparative Perspective - Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
➢ A parallel can be drawn between the MG situation and the observed rise in cases of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) over time.
➢ ASD's increased prevalence is attributed to a combination of improved diagnostic tools and heightened awareness.
➢ This comparison underscores the potential impact of enhanced diagnostics on the reporting of health conditions.
● Holistic Insights:
➢ The rise in MG cases aligns with stress, the introduction of thymectomy, and diagnostic advancements.
➢ While a direct causal link is not established, these interconnected elements contribute to the complex landscape of health outcomes.
➢ Viewing the situation holistically allows us to appreciate the interplay between historical events, stress, medical advancements, and disease prevalence.
● In Short:
The unique convergence of historical events, stress, medical innovations, and diagnostics in 1939's Hampstead Heath paints a complex picture of the observed surge in MG cases. By considering stress as a potential trigger and understanding the role of thymectomy and lessons from other health conditions, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between historical context and health outcomes.
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In Dept:
● Historical origin of the disease Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia Gravis was first recognized as a distinct clinical entity by Thomas Willis, a 17th-century Oxford physician, whose 1672 account in Latin was largely unnoticed until 19031. The first modern description was made in 1877 by Samuel Wilks, a London physician.2 /3
The first full descriptions of Myasthenia Gravis were by Wilhelm Erb, of Heidelberg, and Samuel Goldflam of Warsaw.
This disorder, characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue, particularly in the muscles involved in voluntary movements, was previously unknown and not well-understood.
The account by Willis, and the 19th-century literature of Myasthenia Gravis are reviewed, revealing the dominance of German physicians and neuropathologists in the early understanding of the disease.4
In 1895, Friedrich Jolly of Berlin, Germany, coined the term myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica to describe the condition in two teenaged boys of muscle weakness.5
The development in pathology, etiology, and therapy in the first half of the 20th century are described. Today, Myasthenia Gravis is still a rare disease, with an incidence of 4.1 to 30 cases per million person-years and a prevalence rate ranging from 150 to 200 cases per million.5
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16289896/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8214743/
3.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960896605002567
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960896605002567
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022510X19303600
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022510X19303600
Since the death of Chief Opechankanough >350 years ago, the myasthenia gravis (MG) community has gained extensive knowledge about MG and how to treat …
