The death of mozart - historical forensic pathology

Abstract

Speculation regarding the death of Mozart is not a new phenomenon. Rumours as to the circumstances of his death have existed for nearly two centuries and they have ranged from poisoning to cardiac and renal disease to name but a few. Much interest has been displayed in the literature regarding congenital malformation of Mozart’s left ear and its possible associations with underlying renal tract anomalies although there is little evidence that he in fact suffered from such anatomical abnormality of the genito-urinary tract, More recently attention has been directed at a skull believed to be that of Mozart in relation to chronic extradural haematoma. In this year of the bicentennial of Mozart’s death, I propose to review some of the literature regarding the circumstances of his death and indulge in forensic speculation.