From 500 years ago, in July, 1518 an endemic was broke out, which known as “Dancing Plague” or ” Dancing Epidemic”. Approximately 50 to 400 people were affected in this endemic. On 14th July, a lady named “Frau Troffia” suddenly started dancing in a narrow, macadam road in front of her house. Seeing her weird dance, some audience joined her. Within few days, the number of dancers grew to more than thirty. Some of them danced with such intensity that only death could stop them. By August, the dancing plague had affected around four hundred people. Many of the dancers died from heart attacks. Some observers described their movements as seizures, as they uncontrollably stirred their hands and legs. Their eyes were blank and expressionless. Due to relentless dancing, many people’s feet started bleeding and blood dripped from their shoes into the ground. Often, cries for help could be heard from the affected. If they did not die from heart attacks, they would collapse from extreme exhaustion, hunger and thirst.
Medical records, cathedral advice, local and regional historical book and notes of the Strasbourg City Council note confirmed that they danced uncontrollably for long periods. In the end, doctors advised that the only way to free them was to let them dance. That means, not try to stop them.
It is claimed that guild halls were rebuilt for this and musicians were hired. This decision had the opposite effect on society and the councillor was eventually forced to publicly ban dancing. Because people then began to dance in fear that it was the punishment of St. Vitus. As a result, many joined the dance to be freed from sin. When the open dance was started and maintained by divine punishment or demonic domination. Then only those with divinely given authority can bring sinners back into right relationship with God.
