this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2023
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Dancing plague of 1518 - There is even controversy concerning the number of deaths (en.wikipedia.org)
submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/creepywikipedia
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[–] FlyingSquid 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I think the mass hysteria explanation is the more interesting and, to me, more likely explanation. I think it was too widespread to blame on ergot poisoning.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yeah, it makes you think what's going through a persons mind...

I wouldn't rule out the food poisoning - we have documented examples of whole villages and cities succumbing to sickness because of polluted water source or wrong materials being used for the water supply.

[–] FlyingSquid 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

If it were geographically restricted, I would think food poisoning was more likely, but it was spread over a wide area.