title: MS in prose, poems and drama.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Presentations of MS in fictional literature have not been previously researched. This paper surveys and analyses these portrayals of the disease for the first time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant works in English and German were identified by means of keyword searches in online public access catalogues and search engines as well as old-fashioned research. The neurological and literary evaluation of these 7000 pages of text combines qualitative and quantitative methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 1954 and 2012 at least 55 literary works appeared with an MS motif (35 novels, 18 poems, one novella and one drama). The authors were predominantly female and a third of them suffered from the disease. Patients in the novels largely reflect real epidemiology as regards symptoms and disease progression, while diagnostic and therapeutic options play a secondary role. From a literary point of view, 'entwicklungsromane', 'relationship novels' and 'young adult books' can be discerned. MS is often portrayed in metaphoric language as the enemy: a demon, an animalistic being, prison or an abyss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MS motif evidences a medicalization of the literature as well as a literary portrayal of anthropological experiences. Well-written novels can contribute to the de-stigmatization of MS and impart basic medical knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Institute for the History of Medicine and Medical Ethics, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Philine
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Riem
authors.affiliation: Institute for the History of Medicine and Medical Ethics, University of Cologne, Germany ajg02@uni-koeln.de.
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karenberg
mesh_terms: D004324:Drama; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008091:Literature; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012106:Research / Q000639:trends*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Medicine in literature; historical article; humanities; multiple sclerosis/history*; narration; poetry as topic