"A Local Disease" What Is It ?

[Peter Stines]

I came across this in a trial. A doctor told how he treated a patient for a "local disease" Is this a polite way of saying the chap had a STD or ?????
I've also been looking into mercury and lead poisoning in the 19th century. From what I'm reading mercury really did a number on the user. There was a judge here in Chambers County (A Union Veteran no less!) who committed suicide and it looks like he had mercury poisoning. Can you enlighten us on the effects of both poisons ?

 

[John Hartwell]

I have seen "local disease" used in two ways. First, as a disease generally confined within a certain geographic area:

[1866]​

And, second, a disease more or less restricted to a specific part of the body, as opposed to a general, systemic, or constitutional disease:

[1874, speaking of diptheria]
​

Elemental mercury was the principal ingredient of the "little blue pills" (aka 'blue mass') commonly prescribed for a wide variety of conditions, including worms, tuberculosis, toothaches, and cholera. They also were often prescribed for "hypochondriasis," a very general medical term that was used to describe many different physical and mental problems. Abraham Lincoln was said to have suffered from one condition often attributed to hypochondriasis: melancholia or depression. It is likely that a physician recommended that Lincoln take these blue pills for his depression. Common symptoms of mercury poisoning are irritability, anxiety, hostility, depression, insomnia, memory loss, nerve damage, tremor, and problems with dexterity. All to greater or lesser degrees, depending on the individual case.

A good article from webmd.com describes Lincoln's particular case:

https://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20010717/lincolns-little-blue-pills#1​

 

[Belle Montgomery]

I have seen "local disease" used in two ways. First, as a disease generally confined within a certain geographic area:

View attachment 324293
[1866]​

And, second, a disease more or less restricted to a specific part of the body, as opposed to a general, systemic, or constitutional disease:

View attachment 324294
[1874, speaking of diptheria]
​

Elemental mercury was the principal ingredient of the "little blue pills" (aka 'blue mass') commonly prescribed for a wide variety of conditions, including worms, tuberculosis, toothaches, and cholera. They also were often prescribed for "hypochondriasis," a very general medical term that was used to describe many different physical and mental problems. Abraham Lincoln was said to have suffered from one condition often attributed to hypochondriasis: melancholia or depression. It is likely that a physician recommended that Lincoln take these blue pills for his depression. Common symptoms of mercury poisoning are irritability, anxiety, hostility, depression, insomnia, memory loss, nerve damage, tremor, and problems with dexterity. All to greater or lesser degrees, depending on the individual case.

A good article from webmd.com describes Lincoln's particular case:

https://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20010717/lincolns-little-blue-pills#1​

Lincoln was on blue mass for the first few months of his presidency then was taken off of them. They were used often for VD thus the saying "One night with Venus and a lifetime of Mercury"

 

[Mike Serpa]

I have seen "local disease" used in two ways. First, as a disease generally confined within a certain geographic area:

View attachment 324293
[1866]​

And, second, a disease more or less restricted to a specific part of the body, as opposed to a general, systemic, or constitutional disease:

View attachment 324294
[1874, speaking of diptheria]
​

Elemental mercury was the principal ingredient of the "little blue pills" (aka 'blue mass') commonly prescribed for a wide variety of conditions, including worms, tuberculosis, toothaches, and cholera. They also were often prescribed for "hypochondriasis," a very general medical term that was used to describe many different physical and mental problems. Abraham Lincoln was said to have suffered from one condition often attributed to hypochondriasis: melancholia or depression. It is likely that a physician recommended that Lincoln take these blue pills for his depression. Common symptoms of mercury poisoning are irritability, anxiety, hostility, depression, insomnia, memory loss, nerve damage, tremor, and problems with dexterity. All to greater or lesser degrees, depending on the individual case.

A good article from webmd.com describes Lincoln's particular case:

https://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20010717/lincolns-little-blue-pills#1​

Thanks a lot for this post. I just diagnosed myself as having mercury poisoning!

 

[connecticut yankee]

Lincoln was on blue mass for the first few months of his presidency then was taken off of them. They were used often for VD thus the saying "One night with Venus and a lifetime of Mercury"

"President Lincoln also took mercury in the form of "blue mass." The ingredients of blue mass varied, but all contained mercury either in elemental form or in compound form (such as calomel). It was administered in either pill or syrup form for a wide variety of ailments such as tuberculosis, syphilis, toothaches, and constipation (often the result of a poor soldiering diet lacking in fruit, fiber and freshness). While we don't know if Lincoln suffered from mercury poisoning, we know that he took blue mass before and for some time during his presidency, potentially for constipation and/or "melancholy." "

Clara Barton, too? See:

Clara Barton and Quicksilver - Clara Barton Museum

The Mad Hatter by Lewis Carroll(Wikimedia Commons) Most of us are familiar with the often nonsensical, flamboyantly dressed Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Most of us are also, no doubt familiar with the expression “mad as a hatter.” Now this expression is not based upon...

www.clarabartonmuseum.org

 

[reading48]

Good one Mike..... I must have it Too!!!!!!

 

[John Hartwell]

Lincoln was on blue mass for the first few months of his presidency then was taken off of them.

Yes, and fortunately mercury poisoning is reversible. Stop taking it and the symptoms gradually go away.

 

[Peter Stines]

"President Lincoln also took mercury in the form of "blue mass." The ingredients of blue mass varied, but all contained mercury either in elemental form or in compound form (such as calomel). It was administered in either pill or syrup form for a wide variety of ailments such as tuberculosis, syphilis, toothaches, and constipation (often the result of a poor soldiering diet lacking in fruit, fiber and freshness). While we don't know if Lincoln suffered from mercury poisoning, we know that he took blue mass before and for some time during his presidency, potentially for constipation and/or "melancholy." "

Clara Barton, too? See:

Clara Barton and Quicksilver - Clara Barton Museum

The Mad Hatter by Lewis Carroll(Wikimedia Commons) Most of us are familiar with the often nonsensical, flamboyantly dressed Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Most of us are also, no doubt familiar with the expression “mad as a hatter.” Now this expression is not based upon...

www.clarabartonmuseum.org

Thanks much for the great information and the links. I always seem to find a "gold mine" of good data on this sight!
Now, next question: Is there any truth to the story that Lincoln bought cocaine for Mary when they were trying to have their first child ? I know it was sold legally through drugstores so..............Without getting too graphic, how or why was cocaine used in Mary's case ? Did she ingest it orally or ???? (Like I said, let's not get too graphic)

 

[Peter Stines]

I almost forgot about "phossy jaw" the condition that affected workers in match factories. I've seen some photos; NOT PRETTY!!!