Science & Technology / Science & Medicine / Medical & Health Research
The Forgotten Epidemic: Why 5 Million People Fell Into a Sleep They Couldn't Wake From
In 1916, a mysterious illness swept the globe, causing millions to fall into an irreversible sleep or suffer from uncontrollable movements and psychosis. Known as Encephalitis Lethargica, this forgotten epidemic killed or disabled over 5 million people, yet it remains one of medicine's greatest unsolved mysteries. In this video, based on Molly Caldwell Crosby's groundbreaking book 'Asleep', we explore the devastating history of this disease, its bizarre symptoms that turned children into uncontrollable beings, and the tragic story of how it was erased from public memory. Learn about the scientific quest to uncover its cause, from early theories of influenza to modern discoveries of autoimmune attacks on the brain. Discover why this epidemic is more relevant today than ever, and what it teaches us about the fragility of the human mind. Join us as we unravel the chilling tale of a disease that turned people into living statues and vanished without a trace.
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