The Cause Of Rabies In Poe's Death

Later Dr R. Michael Benitez found out that the anonymous patient E.P was in fact Edgar Allan Poe. For the first time in history someone looked at Poe’s death from an objective view. The doctors at this conference had no preconceived notions of Poe’s death. Many of Poe’s symptoms lined up with those of a patient suffering from rabies,

Edgar Allan Poe’s death was caused by the infamous act of cooping. He was found outside of a bar during voting time; delirious and dressed in second hand-clothes, he was later sent to Washington College Hospital to be taken care of. This theory is the most plausible because it explains why he was drugged, how they found him in other people’s clothes, and the reason why he was a victim of cooping.

Edgar Allen Poe, known for his crazy writings, but what people question the most beside his stories is how did he die? There have been many theories circling around for how he has died. Two theories aare that he had rabbies or abused alcohol. Many people believe in different things and argue from very different points. However, Poe died of alcohol because, he has had a past with it in his younger years. Even though he gets sick from just one glass, he could of wanted to kill himself or had a withdraw and craved it.

1). Poe went so far that he got into a point that he drank absinthe and brandy which is a really dangerous mixture (Poe, Drugs and Alcohol 27). Between the many possible causes of Edgar Allan Poe’s death, his problem with alcohol is really considerable as one important reason of his early death (Scharf, Douglas 1).

The New York Times states, "By the next day (Poe) was perspiring heavily, hallucinating, and shouting at imaginary companions" (NY Times 187). Based on these descriptions of Poe's behavior, it is clear he was suffering from rabies. As stated in the New York Times, "In the brief period when he was calm and awake, Poe refused alcohol and could drink water only with great difficulty" (NY Times 187). This evidence is significant because later in the article it explains that people who have rabies often exhibit hydrophobia, or fear of water. According to a New York Times article, on his fourth day at the hospital, Poe again reached a state of confusion and aggression before he calmed down again and died (187). This supports the other strange behavioral traits Poe was showing, which all lead back to rabies. Given these points, it is clear that Poe died as a result of

There are many theories of how Edgar Allan Poe died. One of the theories is alcohol. Poe was a heavy drinker as a young man so it is possible. Another theory is rabies. This is also a possible theory because of the symptoms he had in the hospital.

Dr. R. Michael Benitez explains that one fourth of rabies victims cannot remember being bitten (Pg. 187). There is no evidence that Poe was bitten, but it can take up to a year for symptoms to appear. “When symptoms do appear the disease is a swift and brutal killer. Most patients die in a few days.” (New York Times pg. 187). Poe was only alive for four days at the hospital and was confused and belligerent most of the time. “Rabies victims frequently exhibit hydrophobia, or fear of water, because it is painful to swallow.” (New York Times pg. 187). For that reason, he could drink water only with great difficulty.

There are many pieces of evidence that support Poe mostly likely dies of rabies. For one Michael Benitez states in his letter that rabies can incubate in a human for up to a year. This proved why Poe did not have a bite at the time if it indeed did happen about a year ago. Also in Poe’s biography it says Poe was semi-conscious stuck in a stupor. This also

Poe was found semi- conscious on the streets of Baltimore, Maryland. He was rarely responsive and had slurred speech

On Oct. 7, 1849, Edgar Allan Poe died mysteriously. While there are many theories about why or how he died, I believe that it is a unknown illness or cholera. First, a document by Poe it suggest that Edgar Allan Poe had contracted cholera weeks before arriving in Richmond and had a manic episode. Next, According to Susan Archer Talley, Poe was pale and trembling. His condition was serious enough that two doctors though he was in “imminent danger” and that another “attack would kill him. Then, in addition, John Moran claims that Poe had arrived at the hospital unconscious and remains in that condition from 5:00 pm until 3:00 am. When he wakes up he trembles and sweats profusely until the following day. Although no one will ever know for certain

In conclusion, more evidence points to rabies being the cause of Edgar Allan Poe. However, it may never be clear how Poe died - as multiple things could have contributed to his death. Moreover, Poe died not of alcohol intoxication, but of the rabies

According to another New York Times article written by Burton R. Pollin and Robert E. Benedetto,”If Only Poe Had Succeeded when He Said Nevermore To Drink”, Dr. Benitez was wrong to assign Poe’s death to a case of rabies. They claim that Edgar Allan Poe died from too much alcohol in his system, not from an animal attack. Dr. Benitez never stated that Poe was not drunk, yet it is true that Poe has a history of extreme alcoholism. This is evident not only in his works, but strewn throughout his relationships with false admissions of recovering. Another key evidence is the lack of a bite or scratch. Even if Poe could not recall the attack, another symptom of rabies is itching or a rash being evident on an entire limb. I find it surprising that no doctor would notice that. Whitewashing his death doesn't make the reality any different, he was

According to the CDC, over 88,000 people die every year due to the excessive use of alcohol in the United States. Now this proves that alcoholism is a very serious and common issue in our country. Poe’s death to this day has been thought of as a great mystery, most believing he died from either alcohol or rabies. According to several sources saying that Poe was sent to the hospital after being to drunk, not being able to tell doctors the names of his family members/where he lived, and the fact that his cat, Caterina, was proven to not have rabies, I believe he died from alcohol.

“Mr. Poe could not possibly send forth a book without some marks of his genius, and mixed up with the dross we find much sterling ore.” — (From a review of Poe’s Tales, September 6, 1845.) In 1845, Poe, 27, and Virginia, 13, married, and were happy for a time. In 1842, Virginia ruptured a blood vessel; the first sign of the ill health that plagued her short life. Poe turned to alcohol to cope with her illness and the stress of his dying wife. Two years later, Virginia died of tuberculosis, and Poe’s own death would follow shortly two years after that.

While Poe was believed to be mentally deranged he still is one of the greatest authors to date. He had no parents, and lived with a foster family. He never finished college and fell into great debt. As he became a rising author the fame was short lived as he was criticized by many. With some of the scariest stories to date and one of the best authors throughout history Poe is a very noteworthy author. As Poe had really began his career in debt he also ended his life in debt. For many years to come Poes various spine tingling stories shall live