St. Francis came at dawn—the miraculous recovery of a hemiplegic monk in the Middle Ages

Abstract 

We present the English translation of a remarkable case report from the 13th century. A collection of miracles ascribed to St. Francis contains the story of a young monk suddenly afflicted by a neurological disorder characterized by hemiplegia, speech problems and confusion. St. Francis' appearance led to complete recovery. From a theological and literary point of view, the text includes many allusions to the miracles performed by Jesus and to pagan traditions from Asclepius to Ovid. Retrospective neurological diagnoses range from a prolonged ischemic neurological deficit (PRIND) to psychogenesis. This case history is a rare example of faith healing in its contemporary context.

Keywords:  Cerebrovascular disorders history, History of medicine, Medieval, St. Francis, St. Bonaventure, Christus Medicus, Asclepius, Hemiplegia