EPISODE · Nov 11, 2025 · 37 MIN
Encephalitis Lethargica
from Unresolved: A True Crime & Mystery Podcast · host Unresolved Productions
"No fiction author would have had the temerity to invent a disorder of such incredible clinical diversity and puzzling behavior."In the winter of 1916-1917, as World War I raged, physicians in Europe began noticing bizarre cases of brain illness. Thousands arrived at hospitals with high fevers, headaches, confusion, and a host of other factors - suspected at first to be meningitis or even poisoning - yet none of the explanations fit. What all of these patients shared was either an overwhelming drowsiness or psychotic agitation.By late 1918, as the great influenza pandemic struck, this new "sleeping sickness" had spread across Europe and Beyond. Earlier that year, outbreaks were noted in England and the first American case was reported in September. By 1919, enough cases had surfaced worldwide that health officials realized they faced an epidemic of a baffling new illness...Research & writing by Micheal Whelan and Amelia WhiteHosting & production by Micheal WhelanLearn more about this podcast at http://unresolved.meIf you would like to support this podcast, consider heading to https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod to become a Patron or ProducerBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved-a-true-crime-mystery-podcast--3266604/support.
What this episode covers
"No fiction author would have had the temerity to invent a disorder of such incredible clinical diversity and puzzling behavior."In the winter of 1916-1917, as World War I raged, physicians in Europe began noticing bizarre cases of brain illness. Thousands arrived at hospitals with high fevers, headaches, confusion, and a host of other factors - suspected at first to be meningitis or even poisoning - yet none of the explanations fit. What all of these patients shared was either an overwhelming drowsiness or psychotic agitation.By late 1918, as the great influenza pandemic struck, this new "sleeping sickness" had spread across Europe and Beyond. Earlier that year, outbreaks were noted in England and the first American case was reported in September. By 1919, enough cases had surfaced worldwide that health officials realized they faced an epidemic of a baffling new illness...Research & writing by Micheal Whelan and Amelia WhiteHosting & production by Micheal WhelanLearn more about this podcast at http://unresolved.meIf you would like to support this podcast, consider heading to https://www.patreon.com/unresolvedpod to become a Patron or ProducerBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unresolved-a-true-crime-mystery-podcast--3266604/support.
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Encephalitis Lethargica
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