Thrilled to find this site.

[Raphael]

Yes, I know about the volcanoes and the lack of summers. But that is not unusual over here- rainy cold summers are the norm- a hot dry one is actually unusual. And the weather here has always been unchangeable- I have set out in the morning many a sunny warm day for it to get cold later on rain and get soaked.They didn't have the waterproof coats back then so poor John probably got soaked a lot- we know he got caught on the coaches a lot. This wouldn't have helped him.
But the point I was trying to make earlier is- that stress can weaken the immune system, so his stresses wouldn't have been helping and may have weakened his immune system.

[Keats9264]

yes, I know it's been proven stress can weaken the immune system. And he was, obviously, stressed I guess. But he was also producing lots of endorphins. So wouldn't that have counteracted it?

[Pjerrot]

yes, I know it's been proven stress can weaken the immune system. And he was, obviously, stressed I guess. But he was also producing lots of endorphins. So wouldn't that have counteracted it?

I'm not entirely sure about the properties of endorphins, but I believe they would have only given Keats a "high" as it were. And I believe anyone who has a creative soul is often stressed (aside from usual stressors, i.e. his relationship with Fanny, caring for his brother); some handle and channel it better than others.

[Keats9264]

yeah, endorphins are good for you and help you heal etc. Produced when you laugh or are joyous. And just a reminder to anyone who is sick or caring for anyone sick - it's true - laughter is the best medicine - science finally proved it! And pleasant thoughts....so go and make somebody happy!

[Raphael]

My throat has been too sore to laugh the past 2 days...