Ep 130 Cocoliztli: We do love a salty dish

Symptom Analysis

The symptoms of Cocoliztli, a mysterious epidemic that ravaged Mesoamerica, present a complex diagnostic puzzle. Erin Welsh and Erin Updyke discuss the historical accounts of symptoms like jaundice, bleeding, and rapid pulse, which suggest a pathogen affecting multiple organs 1. The disease was distinct from other known epidemics, with symptoms like dry black tongues, sea-green urine, and painful nodules, as described by Dr. Fernando Hernandez, the physician in chief of New Spain 2.

The fevers were contagious, burning and continuous, all of them pestilential, in most part lethal.

--- Erin Welsh

These vivid descriptions highlight the severity and rapid progression of the disease, raising questions about its viral or bacterial origins.

   

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds were a significant symptom of Cocoliztli, indicating possible coagulation issues. Erin Welsh and Erin Updyke explore how these massive hemorrhages could result from clotting disorders like thrombocytopenia, where a lack of platelets prevents proper blood clotting 3. The thin mucosa in the nose and eyes makes them prone to bleeding, especially when the body's coagulation state is compromised 4.

It's an indicator that your coagulation state is totally screwed up.

--- Erin Updyke

This symptom, while dramatic, is not unique to a specific disease but suggests a severe disruption in the body's ability to manage bleeding.