In some instances the so-called "living skeletons" are merely
cases of extreme muscular atrophy. As a prominent example of this
class the exhibitionist, Rosa Lee Plemons at the age of eighteen
weighed only 27 pounds. Figure 177 shows another case of
extraordinary atrophic condition of all the tissues of the body
associated with nondevelopment. These persons are always sickly
and exhibit all the symptoms of progressive muscular atrophy, and
cannot therefore be classed with the true examples of thinness,
in which the health is but slightly affected or possibly perfect
health is enjoyed.
CHAPTER VIII.
LONGEVITY.
Scope of the Present Article.--The limits of space in this work
render impossible a scientific discussion upon the most
interesting subject of longevity, and the reader is referred to
some of the modern works devoted exclusively to this subject. In
reviewing the examples of extreme age found in the human race it
will be our object to lay before the reader the most remarkable
instances of longevity that have been authentically recorded, to
cite the source of the information, when possible to give
explanatory details, and to report any relative points of value
and interest.
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