Dance Fever

Dance Fever' is a condition characterized by an uncontrollable urge to dance, often associated with historical instances of mass psychogenic illness or mass hysteria. The most famous example of Dance Fever is the Dancing Plague of 1518, which occurred in Strasbourg, Alsace (now France), where people danced for days without rest, and some reportedly died from heart attack, stroke, or exhaustion. This phenomenon has been recorded in various cultures throughout history and is often linked to social, psychological, and environmental factors.

Causes

The exact causes of Dance Fever are not well understood, but several theories have been proposed. These include:

• Psychogenic Movement Disorders: Dance Fever may be considered a type of psychogenic movement disorder, where psychological factors lead to physical symptoms, including uncontrollable dancing.
• Mass Psychogenic Illness: Also known as mass hysteria, this occurs when a group of people exhibit a shared stress response to a perceived threat, real or imaginary.
• Ergot Poisoning: Some historians suggest that outbreaks of Dance Fever, such as the Dancing Plague of 1518, were caused by ergot poisoning. Ergot is a fungus that grows on rye and other grains and contains alkaloids that can lead to spasms, hallucinations, and other symptoms similar to those reported in historical instances of Dance Fever.
• Social and Cultural Factors: In some cases, Dance Fever may have been influenced by social and cultural factors, including religious fervor, superstition, and the stress of living in times of hardship and disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Dance Fever include:

• Uncontrollable dancing or movement
• Exhaustion
• Hallucinations
• Physical distress, including heart attack and stroke in severe cases

Historical Instances

Besides the Dancing Plague of 1518, other instances of Dance Fever include:

• The Dancing Mania of the Middle Ages, which occurred across Europe.
• The Tarantism in Italy, where victims were said to dance uncontrollably due to being bitten by a tarantula.

Treatment

Historical treatments for Dance Fever varied widely, from exorcisms and pilgrimages to more physical methods like tying the afflicted to beds. In modern times, treatment would likely involve addressing the underlying psychological or environmental causes, through therapy and support for those affected.

Cultural Impact

Dance Fever has had a significant impact on culture, inspiring works of art, literature, and music. It serves as a reminder of the complex ways in which psychological, social, and environmental factors can influence physical health and behavior.

See Also

• Mass Hysteria
• Psychogenic Illness
• Ergotism