Random Things People Have "Diagnosed" Abe Lincoln With (14 items)

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  (#1) Marfan syndrome

  Probably the most common diagnosis associated with Lincoln is Marfan Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects one’s connective tissue. It’s easy to see why people might think Lincoln had it, as its victims are normally quite tall, thin, and long-limbed. Lincoln remains the tallest president ever at 6’4”, and was incredibly tall for his time period.

  However, no testing of Lincoln’s remaining DNA samples has been conducted for Marfan. Detractors say his excellent cardiovascular health and vision give good evidence that he didn’t have it.
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  (#2) Syphilis

  • Lymphadenopathy, Mouth ulcer, Fever, Skin rash, Skin ulcer, Malignant Skin Neoplasm, Genital wart, Bone tumor, Muscle pain, Flu-like syndrome, Tumor, Chancre, Anorexia, Fatigue, Genital ulcer, Spinal tumor, Alopecia, Brain tumor, Headache, Sore throat, Anal fissure

  Could Lincoln have had syphilis? It was definitely around plenty back then, and Lincoln’s former law partner claims that he told him about his affliction. Lincoln could very well have had syphilis, but there isn’t much direct evidence of it. More incendiary accounts claim that Lincoln passed the disease onto his wife and children, resulting in early deaths for the children and eventual madness for Mary Todd, but this is speculative at best.
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  (#3) Smallpox

  • Enanthem, Macule

  Lincoln did have smallpox at one point in his life. He is said to have contracted the disease right after he delivered his famous Gettysburg Address in 1863, but most thought it was a mild case.

  Recent evidence suggests that the illness affected him more seriously than previously thought, and that it hampered him while in the White House. Some claim that Lincoln had to carefully choose which advisors he personally met with in order to avoid further complications.
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  (#4) Multiple endocrine neoplasia

  The best "catch-all" diagnosis for Lincoln is probably Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, type 2b. The disease, which carries the boy-band-like acronym of MEN2B, would explain Lincoln’s lanky body, weird lips, constipation, and hypotonia. It also increases a person’s risk of cancer, and there is a history of that in Lincoln’s family. Lincoln’s famous mole, his one drooping eye, and even his depression could all be interpreted as manifestations of MEN2B. No DNA testing has been done to confirm this theory, however.
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  (#5) Depression

  In his day, Lincoln was described as "melancholic," the old-timey term for clinical depression. It appears to be something that Lincoln struggled with for the majority of his life, and he may have been genetically predisposed to it.

  At several points in his life, close associates worried that Lincoln might commit suicide due to his extremely low moods. Eventually, Lincoln learned to use humor to combat his depression. Others suggest Lincoln took medication, but there is no direct evidence of that.
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  (#6) Cancer

  • cerebella tumor, Medulloblastoma

  Lincoln’s possible diagnosis of MEN2B would mean he and his family would be particularly susceptible to cancer, and some historians blame cancer for the deaths of Lincoln’s sons Eddie, Willie, and Tad, along with the death of his mother. Some even go as far as to claim that the man himself was suffering from cancer at the time of his death, but this is highly speculative.
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  (#7) Spinocerebellar ataxia

  Some Lincoln diagnoses have been thoroughly debunked, and such is the case with Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Ataxia affects the body's ability to control its muscles, and can often lead to peculiar and awkward gaits and other motions. Spinocerebellar Ataxia can also cause problems with balance, speech, and eye movements. Type 5 Spinocerebellar Ataxia was once called "Lincoln’s Ataxia," but subsequent research has concluded that he did not have the disease.
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  (#8) Plagiocephaly

  It can’t be denied that Lincoln had a weirdly shaped head – to the point where medical historians have spent decades trying to figure out what made it so strange. The general conclusion seems to be plagiocephaly, more commonly known as “flat head syndrome.” Plagiocephaly often happens in the womb, and results from a fetus being in a supine position for too long, which flattens the developing skull. Although plagiocephaly can lead to other developmental problems, that doesn’t always happen.
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  (#9) Constipation

  • Pain

  One thing that poor Lincoln definitely suffered from was constipation, though stories of his digestive issues were vastly overstated. For instance, one of his long-time friends, John T. Stuart, claimed that Lincoln "was a kind of vegetable" and that "the pores of his flesh acted as an appropriate organ for such evacuation" – meaning that Lincoln pooped through his skin. This diagnosis can be safely assumed to be false.
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  (#10) Tuberculosis

  • Dyspnea, Chronic cough, Night Sweats, Anorexia, Fatigue, Hemoptysis, Fever, Cough, Chills, Weight loss

  Tuberculosis was a common disease in the time of Lincoln, and some think he and his family members may have contracted it. The deaths of Lincoln’s sons aren’t fully diagnosed, but tuberculosis is a likely culprit in the demises of both Edward and Thomas. There’s no real evidence that Lincoln or Mary Todd themselves caught the illness, but their close proximity to the children makes it a distinct possibility.
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  (#11) Attention Deficit Disorder

  Some sources claim that Lincoln had several of the traits associated with Attention Deficit Disorder. However, that’s somewhat misleading; that list of traits is quite long and can be applied to any number of slightly eccentric historical figures.

  Lincoln did have a personality that made him stand out, but he was also an incredibly productive lawyer and politician. If he did have ADD, it was a very mild case that didn’t hinder his career at all.
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  (#12) Aortic Regurgitation

  Aortic Regurgitation, also known as Aortic Insufficiency, is a condition that involves the aortic valve in the heart leaking. This leak causes blood to flow in the wrong direction, which forces the heart to work harder than it normally does. This can lead to heart failure, among other things.

  Some have speculated that Lincoln’s supposed Marfan Syndrome led to such an insufficiency, and that it can be blamed for his seemingly declining health during his Presidency, but no direct evidence exists.
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  (#13) Epilepsy

  • Tonic–clonic seizure, Blank Stare, Mental confusion, Loss Of Consciousness

  Lincoln did suffer from epileptic seizures in his younger days, but they came from a very clear source. He was kicked in the head by a mule when he was a teenager and knocked unconscious. Shortly thereafter, young Lincoln began to experience “petit-mal” seizures, which weren’t fully understood at the time.

  Lincoln used this incident as a springboard to begin his study of the human brain and its workings, but there’s no evidence that he continued to suffer seizures after he reached adulthood.
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  (#14) Strabismus

  Lincoln was said to suffer from Strabismus, more commonly known as crossed eyes. Lincoln’s left eye had a habit of rolling upward, usually when he was tired or excited. That led to descriptions of Lincoln’s eye “rolling wildly” when he got particularly into his speeches. Lincoln was still able to read and write proficiently, but experts agree that his right eye was likely doing an abundance of the work.

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