From FABIENNE SMITH
In his review of John Bowlby’s new biography of Chalres Darwin it was
acute of Morton Schatzman to doubt whether hyperventilation could cause
vomiting (Review, 11 August). Some of Darwin’s other symptoms could not
be caused by this syndrome either, such as rheumatics and swollen limbs.
The Chagas disease theory is exploded by his doctor’s statement to Maria
Edgeworth that the Beagle voyage ‘was not the cause, only the continuance
of his suffering – for that before he went to sea he was subject to the
same’.
Only one theory can explain every one of Darwin’s symptoms and their
fluctuation under physical and emotional stress: multiple allergy arising
from a dysfunctioning immune system. The inheritance pattern is there, and
evidence of crucial immunosuppressive encounters.
Fabienne Smith Edinburgh
