As reported by NBC News, Constance eventually consulted gynecologist Luigi Maria Bossi — who determined the pain in her legs was caused by a uterine tumor. Bossi suspected the tumor was in the vicinity of a number of nerves, which extend into the thighs. Any pressure on those nerves could cause numbness and pain similar to that experienced by Wilde.

However, the story does not have a happy ending — The Lancet reports Oscar Wilde’s wife died five days after the surgery to remove the tumor. At the time, doctors determined the cause of death was related to intestinal blockage “either as a direct result of the surgery or secondary to intra-abdominal sepsis.”

Doctors now believe all of Constance Mary Wilde’s symptoms were neurological, as she likely had multiple sclerosis. In her personal correspondence, she often referred to the increasing pain and weakness in her limbs, as well as debilitating headaches and backaches. She also began to develop unexplained tremors and facial paralysis. The Lancet explains that all of those symptoms suggest “multiple sclerosis of the relapsing-remitting type that subsequently developed into secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.”