Real-life Dracula cried tears of BLOOD: Experts reveal how Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for the fictional vampire, suffered from a rare condition that caused tears of blood.
- Count Dracula is believed to be based on the Romanian prince Vlad the Impaler
- Experts say that Vlad suffered from a condition that made him cry tears of blood.
From Christopher Lee to Nicolas Cage, various actors have taken on the role of Count Dracula over the years.
While the famous vampire is fictional, it is believed that he was based on a real Romanian prince known as Vlad the Impaler.
Now a study has revealed a bloody connection between the Romanian prince and Count Dracula.
Experts from the University of Catania say that Vlad the Impaler suffered from a rare condition that made him cry tears of blood.
Professor Vincenzo Cunsolo, who led the study, said: “He probably suffered, at least in the last years of his life, from a pathological condition called haemolacria, that is, he could shed tears mixed with blood.”
Experts from the University of Catania say that Vlad the Impaler suffered from a rare condition that made him cry tears of blood
From Christopher Lee (pictured) to Nicolas Cage, various actors have taken on the role of Count Dracula over the years.
Vlad, also known as Vlad Dracula, was the three-time ruler of Wallachia between 1448 and his death around 1477.
He was later the inspiration for Irish author Bram Stoker’s famous vampire Count in his 1897 novel Dracula.
Now, more than 500 years after his death, scientists have taken ‘historical biomolecules’ from missives written by the infamous warlord.
The team extracted blood, sweat, fingerprints and saliva from a letter in May of this year, exactly 125 years since Stoker’s Dracula was published.
The letter is dated August 4, 1475 and was written to the burghers of Sibiu by a man who describes himself in the text as the “prince of the transalpine regions”.
He informed the village residents that he would soon be living in their village.
At the bottom, he signed his dreaded name: Vlad Dracula.
Protein analysis in the document indicates that Vlad may have suffered from hemolacria, a rare condition that causes tears of blood to be cried.
Tears may have a red tinge or appear as if they are made entirely of blood.
While the visual impact of hemolacria is powerful and can be very scary, it is not always a cause for concern.
Protein analysis in the document indicates that Vlad may have suffered from a condition called hemolacria.
It is a symptom of many diseases and may be indicative of a tumor in the tear-producing system.
It can also be caused by conjunctivitis, environmental damage, or injury.
There have been cases of hormone-induced hemolacria in adult women.
Some researchers suggest that it is related to extreme stress or psychological discomfort.
Professor Cunsolo said: “Our proteomic data, although they cannot be considered exhaustive on their own, could indicate that, according to some stories, he probably suffered, at least in the last years of his life, from a pathological condition called haemolacria, i.e. he I could shed tears mixed with blood.
“In addition, he probably also suffered from inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract and/or skin.
“By our calculations, this is the first time such an investigation has been carried out and has helped bring to light the state of health of Vlad Dracula the Impaler.
“It cannot be denied that more medieval people may have touched these documents, but it is also presumable that the most prominent ancient proteins should be related to Prince Vlad the Impaler, who wrote and signed these letters.”
The study is published in the journal ACS Analytical Chemistry.
