Charles Darwin had vomiting illness, claims professor

Charles Darwin, who suffered poor health throughout his life, was the victim of a genetic vomiting illness, an academic has claimed.

Darwin often became a virtual recluse during the worst episodes.

Previous theories regarding the cause of his illness have included hypochondria or panic disorders, while others claimed the problems lay with ‘repressed anger towards his father’, nervousness about his relationship with his wife or guilt over conflict with his earlier religious beliefs.

However, writing in the British Medical Journal online, Prof John Hayman, claimed it was probably cyclical vomiting syndrome. As well as vomiting, the condition causes nausea, headaches, stomach and skin problems - all symptoms from which the On the Origin of the Species aothor suffered.

Prof Hayman, of Monash University, Melbourne, wrote: “Darwin was not aware of mitochondria or of genes and genetic mutations but he was very much aware of random variations within species ….. His personal inherited genetic variation made him substantially ‘less fit’ but his survival prospects were greatly increased by his driving intellect, loyal colleagues, a devoted wife, family and household servants and his personal wealth.”