Objective: To present a case of possible paralysis from early modern Vilnius and to discuss the potential level of care that was provided in the society of that time. Materials: A partially disturbed skeleton of a young female from a 16th-17th century Orthodox Christian cemetery. Methods: Macroscopic, osteometric and X-ray examinations coupled with a literature review aimed at providing a differential diagnosis. Results: The skeletal remains showed signs of disuse atrophy most probably due to a neurological disorder acquired in the woman's late teens. Differentials suggest that the observed limb atrophy was most likely a consequence of poliomyelitis. Conclusions: The case of a young female with paralysis presented in this paper could serve as an example of care provided by her household. Significance: This study substantially contributes to further understanding of the nature and quality of care provided to disabled individuals in their households even in the absence of written sources. Limitations: There is a degree of diagnostic ambiguity due to the application of routine clinical criteria to paleopathological cases. Suggestions for further research: The article makes several recommendations for future research, e.g., systematic investigation of possible cases of bone atrophy in a broader sociocultural context, as well as searching for evidence of gastrointestinal infections, especially poliomyelitis, supplemented by the application of biomolecular technologies.
A possible case of paralysis in early modern Vilnius and the implications for social care
Piombino Mascali D.;
2022-01-01
Abstract
Objective: To present a case of possible paralysis from early modern Vilnius and to discuss the potential level of care that was provided in the society of that time. Materials: A partially disturbed skeleton of a young female from a 16th-17th century Orthodox Christian cemetery. Methods: Macroscopic, osteometric and X-ray examinations coupled with a literature review aimed at providing a differential diagnosis. Results: The skeletal remains showed signs of disuse atrophy most probably due to a neurological disorder acquired in the woman's late teens. Differentials suggest that the observed limb atrophy was most likely a consequence of poliomyelitis. Conclusions: The case of a young female with paralysis presented in this paper could serve as an example of care provided by her household. Significance: This study substantially contributes to further understanding of the nature and quality of care provided to disabled individuals in their households even in the absence of written sources. Limitations: There is a degree of diagnostic ambiguity due to the application of routine clinical criteria to paleopathological cases. Suggestions for further research: The article makes several recommendations for future research, e.g., systematic investigation of possible cases of bone atrophy in a broader sociocultural context, as well as searching for evidence of gastrointestinal infections, especially poliomyelitis, supplemented by the application of biomolecular technologies.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
