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

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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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  (#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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  (#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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  (#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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  (#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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  (#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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