Dizziness, muscle spasms, vomiting, cramps, bloating, headaches, fainting, anxiety and flatulence. With this formidable list of symptoms it is amazing that Charles Darwin ever managed to haul himself out of his sick bed and put pen to paper, let alone compose arguably the most influential scientific theory ever proposed.

That’s how Marcus Pearce opens an article about the ailments of Charles Darwin. A doctor placed him on a peculiar diet and it never did cure his late-afternoon flatulence.