It is believed that the inspiration for the literary figure of Dracula came from a real historical person – the Romanian prince Vlad the Impaler. Experts now say that this bloody character had real foundations not only in his deeds. According to them, Vlad the Impaler suffered from a rare condition that caused him to cry bloody tears.
A Letter from Vlad Dracula for Research
The head of the research, Professor Vincenzo Cunsolo, notes that the Romanian prince likely suffered, at least in the later years of his life, from a pathological condition known as hemolacria. This means he could have had tears mixed with blood.
As is well known, Vlad the Impaler, more commonly known as Vlad Dracula, ruled Wallachia three times, from 1448 to approximately 1477. He later inspired Irish writer Bram Stoker to create the famous novel “Dracula” in 1897 about the legendary vampire ruler.
Now, more than 500 years after the death of Vlad the Impaler, scientists have extracted “historical biomolecules” from letters written by the infamous Romanian ruler. The research team collected blood, sweat, fingerprints, and saliva from a letter in May of this year, exactly 125 years after the publication of Stoker’s novel.
What is Hemolacria, from which Vlad the Impaler May Have Suffered?
Protein analysis in the document indicates that Vlad the Impaler may have suffered from hemolacria – a rare condition that causes one to cry bloody tears. The tears appear red and look as if they are entirely made of blood.
While the visual impact of hemolacria is striking and can be quite frightening, it is not always a cause for concern. It can be a symptom of many diseases and may sometimes indicate a tumor in the tear-producing system. It can also be triggered by conjunctivitis, environmental damage, or injuries.
Scientists are aware of cases of hemolacria caused by hormonal changes in adult women. Some researchers suggest that it may be linked to severe stress or mental disorders.
It May Be Unknown, But It Could Be True
Professor Cunsolo tells the Daily Mail that their proteomic data alone cannot be considered conclusive. However, they may suggest that, according to some accounts, the real Dracula likely suffered, at least in the later years of his life, from hemolacria. Furthermore, as Mr. Cunsolo points out, the Romanian ruler suffered from inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract and/or skin.
According to the researchers, this is the first study of its kind that has helped draw attention to the health condition of Vlad the Impaler, better known as “the Romanian Dracula.” It cannot be denied that many medieval people may have touched these documents. However, it can also be assumed that the most notable ancient proteins should be linked to Prince Vlad the Impaler, who wrote and signed these letters.