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Howard S. Baker, MD
Philadelphia, Pa

JAMA. 1991;265(6):722.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

Arenberg et al¹ have presented a convincing argument that Vincent van Gogh suffered from Meniere's disease. They conclude that we should "forever banish the notion that he was... 'mad.' " A substantial body of data^2,3 and my own research⁴ contradict this opinion.

Arenberg et al substantiate their view by suggesting that van Gogh cut off part of his ear in a vain effort to remove unbearable tinnitus. Although Meniere's disease is common, few resort to such self-mutilation. It seems probable that other factors were involved. Indeed, van Gogh was under great emotional stress at the time. He had been living in Arles (France) with Gauguin. Their relationship had been deteriorating rapidly. Following a particularly fierce argument, Gauguin stormed from their house, and van Gogh chased him, threatening him with a razor. Van Gogh returned home, cut off part of his ear, and presented it to . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Footnotes
Edited by Drummond Rennie, MD, Deputy Editor (West), and Don Riesenberg, MD, Senior Editor.

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