Medical History: Cronaca has two posts up on medical anthropology issues. The first is archeological proof that Medieval monks really were gluttons. The second is about new insignts into the madness of King George - looks like arsenic played a role. Historians have long thought that he suffered from porphyria because there were written records about his urine being dark at times. But acute arsenic poisoning can also darken the urine. George III had several close calls vis a vis assassination during his reign, perhaps someone was trying to do away with him quietly. On the other hand, arsenic was a popular ingredient of medications and cosmetics in those days, so it could have all been accidental.