[PW] Re: what is the origin of "Vesper's curse"

[Dan Clinton]

I would think it more likely that this term for night-time back pain came 
from the old monastic, liturgical calendar -- Vespers being the evening 
service -- the possessive form being a misunderstanding.


Dan Clinton (Contractor)
Technical Services Librarian
U.S. Census Bureau Library
FOB 3, Room 2554
Washington, DC 20233-1980

301-763-6640  (direct line)
301-457-2407  (fax)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeanne Schramm" <jeanne.schramm at gmail.com>
To: <list at project-wombat.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 11:10 AM
Subject: [PW] Re: what is the origin of "Vesper's curse"


> This is just a thought:  Since vesper is Latin for evening, and since
> it can also be spelled Vespers (capitalized, no apostrophe), perhaps
> it simply means evening pain -- and has no connection with anyone or
> anything named Vesper. Articles in Medline have it both with and
> without the apostrophe.  [Just my $0.02.]
> Jeanne Schramm, WLSC, W. Liberty, WV   26074
>
> On 1/3/07, Steele Sue (RW6) PAHNT <Sue.Steele at pat.nhs.uk> wrote:
>> "Vesper's curse" is a medical condition which causes back pain and keeps
>> patients awake at night.  A doctor at my hospital is trying to find out
>> why is is so named - who was Vesper and what was the curse?
>>
>> So far I have found out that Vesper was the Roman God of the evening,
>> linked with the evening star (also known as Hesperos in Greek
>> mythology).  It appears that Vesper may have cursed Hypnos, the god of
>> sleep, but we are unclear as to what the curse was, and why he was
>> cursed.
>>
>> If anyone is able to help, I would be very grateful.
>>
>> Sue Steele
>> Education Centre Library
>> Fairfield General Hospital
>> Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
>> Bury, BL9 7TD
>> Tel: 0161 778 2725
>>
>> The information contained in this email is confidential and is intended
>> only for the named recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient,
>> you must not copy, distribute, or take any action or reliance on it. If
>> you have received this email in error, please notify the sender. Any
>> unauthorised disclosure of the information contained in this email is
>> strictly prohibited.
>> PLEASE NOTE THE TRUST HAS A SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT POLICY FOR STAFF,
>> PATIENTS AND VISITORS. THIS INCLUDES BUILDINGS, GROUNDS AND CAR PARKS
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Project Wombat
>> list at project-wombat.org
>> http://www.project-wombat.org/
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Project Wombat
> list at project-wombat.org
> http://www.project-wombat.org/