Lincoln & Marfan Syndrome,
From what I have read on the subject, there is little evidence to support the theory that Lincoln had Marfan's Syndrome.
Steve Shafer
- Thursday, December 12, 1996 at 19:28:11 (CST)---------------------------------------------------------------
Marfan's Disease,
Another famous person who appears to have had Marfan's is the English historian Lytton Strachey. He was unusually tall with extremely long legs and arms, like Lincoln. People who knew him describe him as "a great spider" or "spidery" unlike Lincoln. The disease often affects the palate and produces a very high even wispy voice. Acquaintances often remarked how odd Strachey's voice was. Lincoln, although a tenor and sometimes called shrill, did not have a flutey or peculiar voice. Marfan's is also associated with children of elderly fathers, over 60. Strachey's was. Lincoln's wasn't. There is a lot of room for variation in any disease which proves Mark Neeley's contention that the case is inconclusive. If someone who owned a lock of Lincoln's hair had it genetically analyzed then we could know for sure.
Fritz Amer <gleeds@seattlegear.com>
Seattle, WA - Thursday, December 12, 1996 at 16:48:30 (CST)---------------------------------------------------------------
Marfan ~s syndrome,
To Micheal Edelson, just a added note to what Rob Wick mentioned- I think Mark neely summed it up best :Lincoln`s suffering from the disease is at best inconclusive". Perople who has Marfan`s rarely live until their 50`s.According to anecdotal sources, Lincoln could lift a barrel of whiskey overhead(approx 300 lbs). And his wrestling feats are often mentioned as proof of his strength. I am guessing but anyone with marfan`s would not be able to do this kind of activity. And the cast of his hands by Volk show they are not spidery as would they be if he had Marfan`s. Any one with more information, please to this, thanks
Max Daniels <ABENBABE@AOL.COM>
Wheaton , Il - Thursday, December 12, 1996 at 15:17:11 (CST)---------------------------------------------------------------
Lincoln and Bone Growth Disease,
To Michael Edelson Some medical historians speculate that Lincoln suffered from Marfan's Syndrome, which would account for his gangly features and hollowed-out eyes. Whether anyone has conclusively proven this, I do not know. Some have even gone so far as to speculate that had Lincoln not been assassinated, the Marfan's would have killed him eventually. The most famous recent case of Marfan's which I am aware of was professional wrestler Andre the Giant, who died from it a few years ago. Rob Wick
Rob Wick <carmitim@midwest.net>
Carmi, IL USA - Thursday, December 12, 1996 at 09:22:01 (CST)---------------------------------------------------------------
President Lincoln and a bone growth disease?,
Can anyone provide me with information related to some thoughts that President Lincoln suffered from a bone growth disease? A friend is searching for information about this but does not recall the name of the disease except that he recalls reading an article some years ago that referred to this condition and its effects on the President. Any information, especially the name of the condition, would be most appreciated... thank you all
Michael Edelson <mikeann@postoffice.ptd.net>
Hazleton, pa usa - Wednesday, December 11, 1996 at 22:42:46 (CST)---------------------------------------------------------------
To C. Feltes: There is an article in the Lincoln Herald (Summer,1977,vol. 79, no. 2 p. 67) which basically summarizes Dr. Harold Schwartz (M.D.) claim that Lincoln had Marfan's Syndrome. Since, many others have challenged, and I feel discredited the claim. I list the article only so that you may read the "evidence" suggesting that Lincoln was a Marfan. You need only examine the Volk casts of Lincoln's hands (fingers) to begin to suspect the Marfan claim (See Lincoln Lore, April, 1980, number 1706, p.3: The Berchem Connection).
Ed Steers <niddk@access.mountain.net>
Berkeley Springs, WV USA - Thursday, May 16, 1996 at 07:26:13 (CDT)---------------------------------------------------------------
To Ed Steers: Thank you so much for all the info on Marfan's syndrome! I looked and looked for this info in all other types of sources, but could find nothing--sure is nice to know there are people like you out there! Thanks again! C. Feltes
C. Feltes <TIMOCAROL@MSN.COM>
Ottawa, IL USA - Thursday, May 16, 1996 at 00:33:57 (CDT)---------------------------------------------------------------
To C. Feltes: The syndrome you are looking for is called "Marfan's." It is an autosomally inherited genetic disease affecting the connective and skeletal tissue. Prevalence is about 4 -6 in 100,000. The affected person is usually tall and thin with long extremities. The aorta is usually weakened and involved in over 80% of the deaths. Several years back a west coast physician "diagnosed" Lincoln as having Marfan's based primarily on his physique and a photograph. Most, if not all, other physicians and Lincoln students feel such a diagnosis is without any medical or historical basis. While Lincoln's physique is somewhat consistent with Marfane's, so are a lot of NBA players if restricted to that characteristic alone. Lincoln had virtually no other symptoms or signs of Marfan's. He was quite muscular, and possessed considerable strength up to his death. He showed no signs of the disease of which there are many. It was picked up by the media only because it involved Lincoln and persists today for no other reason than that.
Ed Steers <niddk@access.mountain.net>
Berkeley Springs, WV USA - Wednesday, May 15, 1996 at 07:43:19 (CDT)---------------------------------------------------------------
Could someone help with my question? It has to do with Lincoln's "lanky and gangly" physical appearance. I thought I read somewhere that present day physicians speculate that he may have had some sort of genetic(?) syndrome which causes extremely long extremities,extended facial features and unusual height. The persons affected are generally healthy except for a tendency toward some sort of weakness of the heart. Can anyone help me out with the name of this syndrome ? Thank you so much!!.
C. Feltes <TIMOCAROL@MSN.COM>
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