Mystery of the poisoned expedition

Nature. 1994 Apr 21;368(6473):683-4. doi: 10.1038/368683a0.

Abstract

The Burke and Wills expedition through the interior of Australia in the nineteenth century ended in calamity. But the cause of death was more pernicious than anyone at the time had imagined: beriberi due to thiaminase poisoning.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • Historical Article
  • Portrait

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Beriberi / etiology
  • Beriberi / history*
  • Bivalvia
  • Expeditions / history*
  • Foodborne Diseases
  • History, 19th Century
  • Hydrolases / poisoning*
  • Plants, Toxic

Substances

  • Hydrolases
  • thiaminase II

Personal name as subject

  • R O Burke
  • W J Wills
  • J King