Vlad Dracul, the infamous medieval Romanian ruler known as Vlad the Impaler and the inspiration for the character of Count Dracula , is considered one of the most bloodthirsty rulers in human history. This identification now seems more apt than ever, as a team of Romanian and Italian chemists has just released a study claiming that Vlad the Impaler literally, and not metaphorically, cried tears of blood.
In an article just published in the journal Analytical Chemistry , scientists from the University of Catania, SpringStyle Tech Design Ltd, the Romania National Archives and Politecnico di Milano reported on evidence they uncovered showing that the real-life inspiration for Count Dracula suffered from many illnesses and medical conditions.
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The study reveals that his tears of blood were caused by a medical condition that would leak blood into his tear ducts on any occasion where he felt the urge to weep. While not the most serious of his ailments, the most eye-opening of Vlad the Impaler’s disorders was the incredibly rare hemolacria, which causes a person to cry tears that contain actual blood. Those who saw Vlad the Impaler shedding tears of blood might have considered it a reflection of his evil nature rather than seeing it as a medical condition.
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