Napoleon’s soldiers who died in Russian retreat had unexpected diseases, study finds
The Guardian – World —
Bacteria for paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever found in DNA from teeth of troops buried in mass graveWhen Napoleon ordered his army to retreat from Russia in October 1812, disaster ensued. Starving, cold, exhausted and struggling with sickness, an estimated 300,000 soldiers died.Researchers now say they have identified two unexpected diseases among soldiers who died in the retreat – paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever – which provide fresh insights into their plight. Continue reading...