‘Elephant man’ suffered several diseases—report

Press, 4 September 1982, Page 9

‘Elephant man’ suffered several diseases —report

NZPA Chicago The first X-rays of the body of Joseph Merrick, the "Elephant Man." in the museum of a London hospital show that he suffered from several diseases and not just one as had been presumed, researchers say. Merrick, who died in 1891 at the age of 29. had bizarre and misshapen physical characteristics. mainly caused by an inherited disorder called neurofibromatosis. His tormented life was the subject of a film and a hit play in London and New York. In an article in this week's "Journal of the American Medical Association." researchers said: "Merrick’s tortured body also sheltered other secrets which have now. after 91 years, only just been revealed." He had "not one but possibly three different bone disorders that contributed to his severe disfigurement," said the article based on research by Benjamin Felson. a Professor of Radiology at the University of Cincin-

nati hospitals. It said he also had fibrous dysplasia, a condition in which the outer layers of bone become thin and the marrow is gradually replaced by fibrous materials as well ’ as fibrous overgrowths in the' skull and localised tuberculosis in his hip. The hip problem may have resulted in the joint cavity's filling with pus causing further disfigurement. the article said. "Although casts of the body surface are available Merrick's neurofibromatosis had never been microscopically confirmed because the only preserved skin samples dried out during the London blitz fires of World War Two." The article said that the findings indicated a genetic tie between neurofibromatosis and fibrous dysplasia. The X-rays were made at the request of William Bean. Professor of Medicine at the University of lowa hospitals and clinics. lowa City.