Chronic Distemper

[Mary C]

The biographer of an ancestor wrote "He was long afflicted with a chronical distemper, but continued his public services and private studies notwithstanding the apparent incapacity of his weak body. This disorder, however, put an end to his useful life in the forty-fifth year of his age, in 1617."
The only description I can find of distemper relates to dogs!

Does anyone know what illness distemper might be?

[Pamelawagster]

From Google.

What is the human version of distemper?

“The disease course and pathogenesis in canine distemper resemble those of human measles virus infection including, fever, rash, respiratory signs, lymphopenia, and profound immunosuppression with generalized depletion of lymphoid organs during the acute disease phase.”

[Mary C]

From Google.

What is the human version of distemper?

“The disease course and pathogenesis in canine distemper resemble those of human measles virus infection including, fever, rash, respiratory signs, lymphopenia, and profound immunosuppression with generalized depletion of lymphoid organs during the acute disease phase.”

Many thanks Pamela.

[Mary C]

Many thanks Pamela

[helachau]

In 1678 John Holney presented the public with his miracle pill -

"The catholick or universal pill. For the cure of the scurvy, dropsy, jaundice, leprosy, King's evil, green sickness, or any other chronic distemper whatsoever, ....."

In 1706 he was presenting it as

"A brief account of those most excellent and famous carthtick and diuretique pills for the cure of the dropsy, scurvy, jaundice, leprosy, kings-evil, and all other formidable diseases whatsoever, ...."

In 1617 distemper was not a specific condition.

[helachau]

https://www.etymonline.com/word/dist...%20%28v.%29%29.

[Lesley Robertson]

I must add that one to my collection of fake cures! Thanks.

Don’t forget that the connection between bacteria and disease was not fully accepted until the late 1800s, although it was being suggested in the late 1600s.

[Mary C]

Thank you all for your replies which led me to thinking his biographer did not know the exact nature of Samuel's illness so used the term 'distemper'. I suspect he may have suffered from his immune system not functioning well which could have led to an autoimmune disease such as Crohns, MS, Diabetes, Graves etc. which may have gone into remission now and again but which ultimately caused his death. He did manage to father ten children in 16 years, the youngest being one year old when he died.

[Mary C]

Thank you

[Mary C]

In 1678 John Holney presented the public with his miracle pill -

"The catholick or universal pill. For the cure of the scurvy, dropsy, jaundice, leprosy, King's evil, green sickness, or any other chronic distemper whatsoever, ....."

In 1706 he was presenting it as

"A brief account of those most excellent and famous carthtick and diuretique pills for the cure of the dropsy, scurvy, jaundice, leprosy, kings-evil, and all other formidable diseases whatsoever, ...."

In 1617 distemper was not a specific condition.

Many thanks for this