This book tells the story of the life of one man who suffered from neurofibromatosis. Through horrible physical deformities which were almost impossible to describe, Joseph Merrick spent much of his life exhibited as a fairground freak until even 19th century sensibilities could take it no more. Hounded, persecuted and starving he ended up being rescued by the distinguished surgeon Frederick Treves. To Treves's surprise he discovered, during the course of their friendship, that lurking beneath the mass of Merrick's corrupting flesh lived a spirit that was as courageous as it had been tortured, and a nature as gentle and dignified as it had been deprived and tormented.
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About the Author:
Michael Howell studied medicine at the University of Birmingham before going on to become a medical officer in the British Army. A specialist in children's diseases he eventually became a family doctor in general practice, a vocation he pursued until his death in 1986
From Library Journal:
In the mid 1880s, a patient admitted to the London Hospital in Whitechapel caught the imagination of the public. He was a horribly deformed man named Joseph Merrick, who suffered from severe multiple neurofibromatosis. The disease made portions of his body grow freakishly; hence, he was called the "elephant man" in sideshows, where he was exhibited before coming to the attention of doctors. Roughly a century later, Merrick again caught the public eye when his story was brought to film and Broadway. This revised edition of the 1980 original contains a more factual account of Merrick's life, including updated information about him and his condition. The text is capped with numerous photographs of the players, including some startling prints of Merrick while alive and of his deformed skeleton after death.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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- PublisherPenguin Books
- Publication date1980
- ISBN 10 014005622X
- ISBN 13 9780140056228
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages224
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