Henrik Ibsen's Battle with Cerebrovascular Disease.

Abstract

Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) is a Norwegian playwright and poet who is known as the father of modern drama. Ibsen was in good health when he announced at his 70th birthday celebration that he intended to continue writing. His last play, When We Dead Awaken, was published in 1899. Why did Ibsen's dramatic writing come to an end? This chapter presents a medical account of Ibsen's health condition during the last 6 years of his life. It is based on a review of a document written by one of his doctors, Edvard Bull (1845-1925), letters, biographic information, and Ibsen's death certificate. The historical material suggests that he suffered from arteriosclerosis and cerebrovascular disease, and that he suffered several strokes, in 1900, 1901, and 1903. He suffered a paresis in his left foot, expressive aphasia, and a right hemiparesis, and he lost the ability to write. There is no evidence that Ibsen was hospitalised. He received medical treatment and care at his home and at a recreational spa. His health condition was unstable, and it is likely that he suffered from a series of smaller strokes in the last years of his life. Ibsen developed signs of heart failure, and he died peacefully from "paralysis cordis" at his home on May 23rd, 1906.