1955 Royal Free Hospital outbreak

In 1955 there was a cluster outbreak of myalgic encephalomyelitis amongst staff at the Royal Free Hospital in North London, in the United Kingdom. The outbreak occurred at a prior location to the current hospital site in Hampstead NW3. The outbreak led to the creation of the disease name Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Outbreak location
The outbreak occurred at a previous site of the hospital, which is now in Hampstead in North London (NW3). The outbreak occurred at 256 Grays Inn Road (WC1X) which is now the Eastman Dental Hospital.

Learn more

 * 2016, Is chronic fatigue syndrome finally being taken seriously?
 * 1987, Royal Free disease: perplexity continues
 * 1896, MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS : A Baffling Syndrome With a Tragic Aftermath. By A. Melvin Ramsay M.D., Hon Consultant Physician, Infectious Diseases Dept, Royal Free Hospital
 * 1978, Epidemic myalgic encephalomyelitis (The BMJ)
 * 1978, 'Epidemic neuromyasthenia' 1955-1978 (Melvin Ramsay, The BMJ)
 * 1977, Icelandic disease (benign myalgic encephalomyelitis or Royal Free disease) (Melvin Ramsay, Elizabeth Dowsett, J V Dadswell, W H Lyle, and J G Parish, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr Betty Scott, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (N. D. Compston, H. E. Dimsdale, Melvin Ramsay, and A. T. Richardson, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr E D Acheson, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr Paula Gosling, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr G J Burke, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr E J Hopkins, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr J F Galpine, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr D C Poskanzer, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr J G Parish, The BMJ)
 * 1965, Eclipse of hysteria (Dr Betty Scott, Melvin Ramsay, The BMJ)
 * 1965, Hysteria and 'Royal Free Disease' (Melvin Ramsay, The BMJ)