The 'Madness' of Friedrich H?lderlin: an iatrogenic intoxication

摘要

Abstract The German poet H?lderlin, assumed to have suffered from schizophrenia, in fact has been the victim of a combined calomel and cantharidine intoxication administered by his physician Autenrieth. This new theory explains much better his behavioural changes and also his neurological and other concomitant symptoms; it can be tested by analysing a very few of his hairs for the presence of these compounds.