According to the written sources several members of the famous Medici family of Renaissance Florence suffered from an arthritic disease, called “gout” by contemporary physicians; a paleopathological case of gout has been previously diagnosed in the Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici (1549-1609). Recent restauration works at the Medici Chapels in the Basilica of San Lorenzo of Florence brought to light a new burial of the Medici family, belonging to Anton Francesco Maria (1618-1659), a probable illegitimate member of the family. The skeleton of Anton Francesco shows a notable lesion in the right foot. The proximal epiphysis of the first phalanx shows several erosions and cavitations, mainly in correspondence of the superior articular border; the major erosion has a raised margin, assuming the typical Martel’s hook sign, pathognomonic of gout. Fusion of the second cuneiform with the proximal epiphysis of the second metatarsal was also observed. Other erosions and fusions, together with degenerative changes, were observed in both feet. Anton Francesco suffered from chronic gout tipically located at the hallux of the right foot. The presented case confirms that gout was a “family disease”, whose etiology has to be searched in the alimentation and lifestyle of this aristocratic court. Historical and paleonutritional data report in fact that Italian Renaissance upper classes had a diet based on wine and meat. Anton Francesco Maria, despite being probably an illegitimate member of the family, should have enjoyed the lifestyle and privileges of the court; the diagnosis of a severe form of chronic gout confirms thus the familiarity to the so-called “gout of the Medici”.

Another case of gout in the Medici family of Florence: Anton Francesco Maria (1618-1659)

GIUFFRA, VALENTINA;MINOZZI, SIMONA;FORNACIARI, GINO
2016-01-01

Abstract

According to the written sources several members of the famous Medici family of Renaissance Florence suffered from an arthritic disease, called “gout” by contemporary physicians; a paleopathological case of gout has been previously diagnosed in the Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici (1549-1609). Recent restauration works at the Medici Chapels in the Basilica of San Lorenzo of Florence brought to light a new burial of the Medici family, belonging to Anton Francesco Maria (1618-1659), a probable illegitimate member of the family. The skeleton of Anton Francesco shows a notable lesion in the right foot. The proximal epiphysis of the first phalanx shows several erosions and cavitations, mainly in correspondence of the superior articular border; the major erosion has a raised margin, assuming the typical Martel’s hook sign, pathognomonic of gout. Fusion of the second cuneiform with the proximal epiphysis of the second metatarsal was also observed. Other erosions and fusions, together with degenerative changes, were observed in both feet. Anton Francesco suffered from chronic gout tipically located at the hallux of the right foot. The presented case confirms that gout was a “family disease”, whose etiology has to be searched in the alimentation and lifestyle of this aristocratic court. Historical and paleonutritional data report in fact that Italian Renaissance upper classes had a diet based on wine and meat. Anton Francesco Maria, despite being probably an illegitimate member of the family, should have enjoyed the lifestyle and privileges of the court; the diagnosis of a severe form of chronic gout confirms thus the familiarity to the so-called “gout of the Medici”.
2016
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/827960
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