Abstract

MONTES-SANTIAGO, J.. Miguel de Cervantes: medical knowledges, ailments and death. An. Med. Interna (Madrid) [online]. 2005, vol.22, n.6, pp.293-297. ISSN 0212-7199.

There is no doubt about the extensive medical knowledge of Cervantes at his time and some biographers affirm that he was a physician. Probably, part of these knowledges were the legacy of his father, a barber and surgeon, that bequeathed to him several medical books. However, there is an almost absolute ignorance related to his ailments and the cause of his death. Apart from a possible malaria, some authors have diagnosed him liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus, taking in account the Cervantes's own testimony, with hydropsy and uncontrollable thirst as importants findings. However, some others explanations like heart failure are possible and certain data suggest terminal renal failure as his last illness.

Keywords : Miguel de Cervantes; Diseases; Death.

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