Burke and Wills Expedition - Cause of Death

Cause of Death

Unbeknown to the explorers, ngardu sporocarps contain thiaminase which depletes the body of vitamin B₁ (thiamin). It is probable that they were not preparing the seedcakes in accordance with Aboriginal food preparation methods, as the food was a staple among the local people. It has been argued that they did not make the food into the requisite paste to begin with, which might have nullified the deleterious effects they suffered. Despite eating the men got weaker and weaker. Wills wrote in his diary:

"My pulse is at 48 and very weak and my legs and arms are nearly skin and bone. I can only look out like Mr Micawber for something to turn up, but starvation on nardoo is by no means unpleasant, but for the weakness one feels, and the utter inability to move oneself, for as the appetite is concerned, it gives me the greatest satisfaction."

As a result, it is likely that the deaths of Burke and Wills resulted in part from a thiamin deficiency called Beriberi. Evidence to this effect is further provided by King's account, which revealed that Burke complained of leg and back pain shortly before his death.