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Abstract #14194 Published in IGR 8-3
Johann Sebastian Bach's strokes
Breitenfeld T; Solter VV; Breitenfeld D; Zavoreo I; Demarin VActa Clinica Croatica 2006; 45: 41-44
Bach's origin is from the sixth generation of a large family of musicians from Mid-Germany, the Thyrings. He was famous, but more so as an organist and a specialist fine organ builder than as a composer. He married twice. From each marriage, two well-known musician-composers were born: Wilhelm Friedmann and Carl Phillip Emanuel from the first marriage, and Johann Christoph Friedrich and Johann Christian from the second. The Bachs were destined to live into their sixties, a good age at that time, and several lived longer. Bach was healthy and shortsighted, and a strong man. He probably had high blood pressure, and maybe diabetes. His vision was said to be damaged by writing and copying notes in the dark from his early days. It is possible he had a mild stroke before 1746 and another one in 1749 which, with his previous blindness, affected him seriously. At that time, while touring Europe, 'chevalier and gentleman' - an Englishman oculist and operator, John Taylor came to Leipzig. Bach was operated on twice in 1750. His vision did not improve and inflammation developed, probably glaucoma with postoperative infection. He had several cerebrovascular risk factors, i.e. age, obesity, possible hypertension and diabetes, and he died in 1750 after another stroke complicated by pneumonia. His grave was known only by oral tradition and was mentioned in just one local newspaper as an incidental remark. It took more than one hundred years after his death for his grave to be found nearby St Thomas Church. His remains were identified by Professor His together with Professor Politzer, an authority in the field of otology.
Dr. T. Breitenfeld, University Department of Neurology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital, Vinogradskca c. 29, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
