DNA analysis uncovers diseases that doomed Napoleon's army
TL;DR
DNA analysis of soldiers' teeth from Napoleon's 1812 Russian campaign revealed that diseases like paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever, rather than just typhus, significantly contributed to the high death toll of the retreating army, highlighting the impact of poor sanitary conditions and infectious diseases on historical military outcomes.
- DNA reveals the diseases that devastated Napoleon's doomed army NBC News
- DNA from Napoleon’s ill-fated 1812 army reveals what likely led to the soldiers’ demise CNN
- Dead soldiers’ teeth reveal diseases that doomed Napoleon’s army The Washington Post
- DNA Identifies 2 Bacterial Killers That Stalked Napoleon’s Army The New York Times
- What killed Napoleon's army? Scientists find clues in DNA from fallen soldiers' teeth : Shots - Health News NPR
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