pellagra

August 12, 1937

from National Library of Ireland on The Commons

• 12 older comments, and then…
• Stuart said:

  It would have been important for doctors to build up a portfolio of medical conditions and what better way to record them than photography. Such portfolios would have been used in clinical instruction. I would not be surprised if in her case, the pellagra was a direct consequence of malnutrition.

• Swordscookie said:

  You're right there, nobody today would be likely to want to be used as a medical exhibit while still alive! It is a nice photo of the lady though I imagine that the full colour and digital format of today would have been more beneficial. In the past I have seen more detailed photographs of medical conditions so doctors realised that the image could be a very useful tool in identification and education.

• Michiel2005 said:

  Pictures are still being made of medical conditions, but nowadays the patient's face is usually made inrecognisable.

• Angela Orlando said:

  True... don't know if any of my 3 bouts with lymphoma cancer
  were photojournaled but if it would help someone else in their
  fight.. I would be happy to be!!!

• National Library of Ireland on The Commons said:

  Angela Orlando :)