A Synthesis of Two Rival Theories on the Death of Edgar Allan Poe
As to how Edgar Allan Poe perished is still undetermined for certainty. However there are multiple theories which profess the cause of his death. Two of the main theories include that Poe died of rabies, while another which opposes it, professes that he died from alcohol poisoning. However, the theory in which Poe died due to alcohol poisoning and drunkenness fails to contain ample evidence supporting the cause of his death was from alcohol. For instance, according to the article “Poe’s Final Days”, by Kenneth Silverman, which is about how Poe died due to alcohol poisoning and drunkenness, it states, “Poe was given a private room, reportedly in a section reserved for …show more content…
This refutes the alcohol claim because it presents that Poe could not have died from alcohol poisoning because it makes him ill and he avoided it to avoid becoming. Since Poe knew it made him ill he would not have overdosed on it because he knew that it would greatly sicken him and possibly kill him. In addition, the article “Poe’s Final Days”, by Kenneth Silverman, attempts to reinforce their claim by stating “Moran's account of his profuse perspiration, trembling, and hallucinations indicates delirious tremens, mania à potu.” (8). Delirium tremens is a state of confusion caused by alcohol withdrawals. According to the article, Poe showed signs of delirium tremens; trembling and hallucinations. However a sign of rabies is hallucination and rabies affects the brain, spinal cord and nervous system which could have also caused trembling. So it is plausible for Poe to have had rabies instead of alcohol poisoning which caused symptoms that also arise in delirium tremens. In conclusion, due to lack of solid proof from the claims professing that Edgar Allan Poe died from alcohol poisoning, and …show more content…
One of theories which claims that Poe’s passing was the result of rabies is well supported with facts, data, and statistics, which all aid in the validation of the claim. For example, in the article “Poe’s Death is Rewritten as Case of Rabies, Not Telltale Alcohol”, by The New York Times, it states “Poe refused alcohol and could drink water only with great difficulty. Rabies victims frequently exhibit hydrophobia, or fear of water, because it is painful to swallow.” (6). This supports the theory of Poe dying from rabies because it shows that he exhibited hydrophobia which is a symptom of rabies. It also opposes the claim that he died from alcohol poisoning since he refused alcohol and had only water even though it was difficult for him to swallow. Furthermore, in the article “Rabies Death Theory”, by The New York Times, it states “The incubation period for humans may be as long as a year, if the inoculation is small and occurs on the hand or foot. Thus the lack of evidence of a bite or scratch is not inconsistent with the diagnosis.” (3). This statement refutes one of the other sources strongest claims, where if there was not mark from an animal to give him rabies then he did not have rabies. This quote addresses how if the scratch or bite was small, it might not have been noticeable and if it happened a long time before he
As to how Edgar Allan Poe perished is still undetermined for certainty. However there are multiple theories which profess the cause of his death. Two of the main theories include that Poe died of rabies, while another which opposes it, professes that he died from alcohol poisoning. However, the theory in which Poe died due to alcohol poisoning and drunkenness fails to contain ample evidence supporting the cause of his death was from alcohol. For instance, according to the article “Poe’s Final Days”, by Kenneth Silverman, which is about how Poe died due to alcohol poisoning and drunkenness, it states, “Poe was given a private room, reportedly in a section reserved for …show more content…
This refutes the alcohol claim because it presents that Poe could not have died from alcohol poisoning because it makes him ill and he avoided it to avoid becoming. Since Poe knew it made him ill he would not have overdosed on it because he knew that it would greatly sicken him and possibly kill him. In addition, the article “Poe’s Final Days”, by Kenneth Silverman, attempts to reinforce their claim by stating “Moran's account of his profuse perspiration, trembling, and hallucinations indicates delirious tremens, mania à potu.” (8). Delirium tremens is a state of confusion caused by alcohol withdrawals. According to the article, Poe showed signs of delirium tremens; trembling and hallucinations. However a sign of rabies is hallucination and rabies affects the brain, spinal cord and nervous system which could have also caused trembling. So it is plausible for Poe to have had rabies instead of alcohol poisoning which caused symptoms that also arise in delirium tremens. In conclusion, due to lack of solid proof from the claims professing that Edgar Allan Poe died from alcohol poisoning, and …show more content…
One of theories which claims that Poe’s passing was the result of rabies is well supported with facts, data, and statistics, which all aid in the validation of the claim. For example, in the article “Poe’s Death is Rewritten as Case of Rabies, Not Telltale Alcohol”, by The New York Times, it states “Poe refused alcohol and could drink water only with great difficulty. Rabies victims frequently exhibit hydrophobia, or fear of water, because it is painful to swallow.” (6). This supports the theory of Poe dying from rabies because it shows that he exhibited hydrophobia which is a symptom of rabies. It also opposes the claim that he died from alcohol poisoning since he refused alcohol and had only water even though it was difficult for him to swallow. Furthermore, in the article “Rabies Death Theory”, by The New York Times, it states “The incubation period for humans may be as long as a year, if the inoculation is small and occurs on the hand or foot. Thus the lack of evidence of a bite or scratch is not inconsistent with the diagnosis.” (3). This statement refutes one of the other sources strongest claims, where if there was not mark from an animal to give him rabies then he did not have rabies. This quote addresses how if the scratch or bite was small, it might not have been noticeable and if it happened a long time before he