Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Postviral Fatigue States: The Saga of Royal Free Disease

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Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Postviral Fatigue States: The Saga of Royal Free Disease
Ramsay-Royal-Free.jpg
Author Melvin Ramsay
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Subject Medical history, case history
Genre History of medicine
Publisher Gower Medical Publishing
Publication date
 1986
Media type print
Pages 64
ISBN 978-0906923962

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Postviral Fatigue States: The Saga of Royal Free Disease (originally published as Postviral Fatigue Syndrome: The Saga of Royal Free Disease) is a book authored by Melvin Ramsay with an introduction by Peter Behan.

Publisher's synopsis[edit | edit source]

(This synopsis was provided by the publisher for promotional purposes. For book reviews, please see Links section below.)

The earliest cases of a new and extremely puzzling type of infection were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department at Hampstead in the spring of 1955. In July this outbreak spread to the main body of the Royal Free Hospital and was responsible for around 300 cases before terminating in November. The infection became known as 'Royal Free disease'. Dr Ramsay was consultant physician in Infectious Diseases at the Royal Free Hospital at the time of the outbreak. This book contains his account of the outbreak and the disease that he observed, as well as further work he has done on the disease.

Chapters included:

  1. The events of the momentous year 1955
  2. Notes on other recorded outbreaks
  3. The endemic form of the disease
  4. The hypothesis of 'mass hysteria'
  5. Research projects
  6. Discussion

Links[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

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myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

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