Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Umut Akova

  • The enigma of mass psychogenic phenomena

    Umut AkovaAtlanta, Georgia, United States In the stifling heat of 1518, Strasbourg, France was gripped by a bizarre spectacle: a mass outbreak of uncontrollable dancing. In the city’s streets, men, women, and children danced wildly, their movements frantic and seemingly without purpose. Despite efforts to stop the madness, the frenzy continued unabated, with fear and…

  • Marfan syndrome and Abraham Lincoln

    Umut AkovaAtlanta, Georgia, United States Marfan syndrome is a rare, inherited genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissues. People with Marfan syndrome often have distinctive physical features such as tall stature, long limbs, joint hypermobility, and a narrow face. The condition is primarily caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene, which is located on…

  • The death of Socrates and common hemlock

    Umut AkovaAnkara, Turkey Socrates (469–399 BC) was the ancient Greek philosopher most often credited with pioneering Western philosophy and with founding the Socratic method, a dialectical approach to questioning and critical thinking. Known for his pursuit of ethical truths and moral principles, he engaged individuals in open-ended discussions that often revealed contradictions in their beliefs.…