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Medical
summary for van Gogh
(see references 1 & 2) |
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*
Vincent's ailment was characterized by episodes of acute
mental derangement and disability which were separated by intervals
of lucidity and creativity. Attending physicians, family, friends, and
the artist himself were all surprised and encouraged by the rapidity of
the recoveries after each crisis. |
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His serious illness developed late in the third decade.
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 2 |
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There was a family history of mental illness. |
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His underlying complaint was characterized by frequent gastrointestinal
problems, and at least one bout of constipation that required
medical intervention |
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3 |
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The condition caused fits with hallucinations,
both auditory and visual, and evoked partial seizures. Periods of incapacitating
depression and physical discomfort were severe and grave enough
to provoke self-mutilation and eventual suicide. |
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 2 |
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Some of his bouts of sickness may have been associated with fever
and sexual impotence. His ailment was exacerbated by
overwork, malnutrition and fasting,
environmental exposure, excessive ingestion of alcoholic beverages,
especially absinthe, and a proclivity for camphor and
other terpenes. |
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4 |
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The symptoms were palliated during institutionalization with better
diet, alcohol restriction, and administration of bromide
therapy7
. In spite of the severity
of medical crises he did not experience any permanent, functional disability
after any attack. |
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5 |
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 2 |
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