Did Pope Boniface die of a subdural?
At the age of 68, Pope Boniface the VIII was hit in the face with a heavy mailed fist and then imprisoned, where he neither ate nor drank for 48 hours. Rescued, he was alert and rational but a few days later unable to appear in public. In Italy he is sa id to have died of shame at being hit. He died 5 weeks after the blow, probably with alternating periods of drowsiness and delirium. It is suggested he died of a subdural haematoma.
Martin
G
G
Wakefield Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand. grahammartin@paradise.net.nz
D000368:Aged; D005197:Famous Persons; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000266:history*; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male