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

[John P. Dyson]

Quoting "Steele Sue (RW6) PAHNT" <Sue.Steele at pat.nhs.uk>:

> "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.


The proper spelling seems to be "vespers curse" and to refer to the
time of day when the symptoms are felt by the patient. Vespers curse
not only involves lumbar-sacral back pain but also mild congestive 
heart disease. Discomfort in the extremities and lower back pain is 
noticed by the patient upon lying down in the evening at which time 
fluids apparently pool in the lumbar area and numbness ensues in the 
feet and lower legs.

I have been unable to determine when the phrase arose. Myron M. LaBan, 
M. D., has written extensively on this condition and may have some 
useful insights as to the term's origin. He can be reached c/o LMT 
Rehabilitation Associates, 3535 West 13 Mile Road, Suite 437, Royal 
Oak, Michigan 48073. The telephone there is 248-288-2210.

John Dyson
Spanish and Portuguese
Indiana University