Andreas G. Nerlich, Stephanie Panzer, Bernhard Häck, Oliver K. Peschel, Raffaella Bianucci

Severe gout and its treatment in an early 18th century Southern German monk: palaeopathology and archaeology

Introduction

Severe gout and its treatment in an early 18th century southern german monk: palaeopathology and archaeology. Discover severe gout & 18th-century treatment in an 18th-century Southern German monk. Palaeopathology & archaeology findings from Attel monastery detail Gregorius Lechner's case.

Abstract

Following the restoration of the crypt of the Attel monastery in Southern Germany, the human remains of 16 out of 40 monks were exhumed and underwent anthropological and palaeopathological investigations. These skeletal remains were of individuals who lived between 1700 and 1750 CE. In some cases, thanks to the documentary sources, it was possible to identify individual monks and partially reconstruct their biographies and lifestyles. This situation in particular, applied to Gregorius Lechner (1672-1732 CE), Oeconomus major of the monastery. He was affected by severe gout, as shown radiographically (X-ray and CT-scan). Our findings were corroborated by the archival documents, which indicate that at the time of his death Gregorius Lechner was affected by gout and dropsy. Acute renal failure was the ultimate cause of his demise. Very interestingly close to his right arm, a typical «fontanela» plate, used to treat gout in the 18th century, was also found. The presence of this instrument found in close contact with the remains of a gouty Gregorius Lechner confirms its use in 18th century medical practice in Southern Germany.

Review

This manuscript presents a compelling interdisciplinary investigation into severe gout and its treatment in an 18th-century Southern German monk, seamlessly integrating palaeopathological, archaeological, and historical documentary evidence. The opportunity to study human remains from a defined historical period (1700-1750 CE) in the context of the Attel monastery crypt offers a unique lens into past health and medical practices. The authors' success in identifying individual monks, particularly Gregorius Lechner, Oeconomus major, and reconstructing aspects of his biography and lifestyle, is a significant strength, elevating this study beyond general population-level analysis to a highly personalized case study. This rich contextualization provides a robust framework for interpreting the osteological findings. The core findings regarding Gregorius Lechner are particularly robust, demonstrating severe gout through detailed radiographic analysis (X-ray and CT-scan). Crucially, these palaeopathological diagnoses are strongly corroborated by contemporary archival documents, which explicitly mention Lechner's affliction with gout and dropsy, ultimately leading to acute renal failure. This direct historical validation of the skeletal evidence is a powerful aspect of the study. Even more remarkably, the discovery of a "fontanela" plate in close proximity to Lechner's right arm offers a rare and tangible link between identified disease and 18th-century medical intervention. This finding not only confirms the instrument's use in Southern Germany during the period but also provides direct archaeological evidence for the physical application of such treatments in an individual suffering from the condition it was designed to address. Overall, this paper makes a substantial contribution to our understanding of historical disease, medical practice, and the interplay between human remains and material culture. The meticulous integration of diverse data sources – skeletal pathology, advanced imaging, historical records, and archaeological artifacts – creates a highly persuasive and insightful narrative. The direct evidence of treatment for a specific individual, rather than inferences drawn from general medical texts, is particularly noteworthy and rare in palaeopathological studies. This work stands as an excellent example of how interdisciplinary research can illuminate the complexities of past health and medicine, offering valuable insights into the lived experiences of individuals in early modern Europe.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.