2010/03/01 by Timothy J. Peters, David M. Wilkinson · 3 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Psychology · Arts and Humanities · #Porphyrin Metabolism and Disorders #Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices #Medical History and Research
paper · doi:10.1177/0957154x09102616
openalex publication_date 2010/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
The diagnosis that George III suffered from acute porphyria has gained widespread acceptance,but re-examination of the evidence suggests it is unlikely that he had porphyria.The porphyria diagnosis was advanced by Ida Macalpine and Richard Hunter, whose clinical symptomatology and historical methodology were flawed.They highlighted selected symptoms, while ignoring, dismissing or suppressing counter-evidence.Their claims about peripheral neuropathy, cataracts, vocal hoarseness and abdominal pains are re-evaluated; and it is also demonstrated that evidence of discoloured urine is exceedingly weak. Macalpine and Hunter believed that mental illnesses were primarily caused by physical diseases, and their diagnosis of George III formed part of a wider agenda to promote controversial views about past, contemporary and future methods in psychiatry.