What did Ramanujan die from?

The Real Reason Ramanujan Died Might Surprise You

Srinivasa Ramanujan. Just the name conjures up images of pure mathematical brilliance, doesn’t it? This self-taught genius from India wowed the world with his mind-bending contributions to number theory, analysis, and those crazy infinite series. His partnership with G.H. Hardy at Cambridge? Legendary! Together, they cranked out results that cemented Ramanujan’s place as one of history’s greatest mathematical minds. But here’s the thing: his story has a heartbreaking twist. Ramanujan died way too young, at only 32. And while everyone always said it was tuberculosis, the real story might be a bit more complicated…and a lot more surprising.

For years, TB was the accepted explanation. He was diagnosed with it while in England, spent time in sanatoriums, the whole bit. But something always felt a little off about that explanation, you know? Even Hardy hinted at it, mentioning there were no lung issues. So, what really happened?

Fast forward to 1994. Dr. D.A.B. Young took a deep dive into Ramanujan’s medical records and symptoms, and he came up with a fascinating alternative: hepatic amoebiasis. Sounds scary, right? Basically, it’s a liver disease caused by amoebic dysentery, which was super common in Madras (now Chennai), where Ramanujan grew up. Think about it: Ramanujan had two bouts of dysentery before he even left India. And here’s the kicker: untreated amoebic dysentery can lie dormant for years, just waiting to cause trouble. Then, BAM! Hepatic amoebiasis.

Suddenly, things started to click. Amoebiasis was rampant in Madras back then. Plus, the symptoms of hepatic amoebiasis – relapses, fevers, liver problems – lined up eerily well with what Ramanujan actually experienced. And let’s be honest, those British doctors probably weren’t experts in tropical diseases like amoebiasis. It’s easy to see how they might have missed it.

Now, throw in Ramanujan’s strict vegetarian diet. Totally understandable, given his Brahmin upbringing. But imagine trying to maintain that during wartime rationing in England! That couldn’t have been easy. The tough climate, the food shortages…it all probably weakened him, making him more vulnerable to getting sick.

Think about those final symptoms: fever, killer stomach pains, coughing up phlegm. That paints a pretty clear picture of advanced amoebiasis, doesn’t it? His wife even described him as “only skin and bone,” which screams severe weight loss – another classic sign.

Look, we’ll probably never know exactly what caused Ramanujan’s death. The medical records just aren’t detailed enough. But this hepatic amoebiasis theory? It makes a whole lot of sense. It fits the facts, it explains the inconsistencies, and it shines a new light on the tragic end of a mathematical giant. It just goes to show you, sometimes the simplest explanations aren’t always the right ones. And sometimes, the past holds secrets we’re only just beginning to uncover.