The edges of the indurated skin
were sharply defined, irregular, and map-like. The affected skin
was stretched, but not shiny, and exhibited a pink mottling; it
could not be pinched between the fingers; pressure produced no
pitting, but rendered the surface pale for a time. The induration
upon the buttocks had been noticed immediately after birth, and
the region was at first of a deep pink color. During the first
nine days the trouble had extended to the thighs, but only
shortly before the examination had it attacked the arms.
Inunctions of codliver oil were at first used, but with little
improvement. Blue ointment was substituted, and improvement
commenced. As the induration cleared up, outlying patches of the
affected skin were left surrounded by normal integument. No
pitting could be produced even after the tension of the skin had
decreased during recovery. The lowest rectal temperature was 98
degrees F. In a little more than four months the skin became
normal. The treatment with mercurial ointment was stopped some
time before recovery.
Possibly the most interesting of the examples of skin-anomaly was
the "elephant-man" of London. His real name was Merrick. He was
born at Leicester, and gave an elaborate account of shock
experienced by his mother shortly before his birth, when she was
knocked down by an elephant at a circus; to this circumstance he
attributed his unfortunate condition.
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