DNA Identifies Diseases in Napoleon’s Army

Researchers analyzing DNA from soldiers’ teeth who died during Napoleon’s 1812 retreat from Russia identified two previously undocumented pathogens: Salmonella enterica, linked to paratyphoid fever, and Borrelia recurrentis, responsible for relapsing fever. This study suggests that poor sanitary conditions contributed to the high death toll, with an estimated 300,000 men dying, highlighting the devastating impact of infectious diseases over military might.

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