Posted on 05/05/2009 1:25:59 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A museum in Philadelphia plans to submit a sample of Abraham Lincoln's blood to scientific analysis in hopes of shedding light on the mysterious ailments that afflicted the 16th US president.
The Grand Army of the Republic Museum's board unanimously approved "further investigation into the sciences, legacy and history of the artefact," its vice-president Andy Waskie said.
The artefact is a piece of bloodstained pillow taken from the Peterson house where Mr Lincoln died in 1985 after being shot by an assassin in Fords Theatre in Washington, said Mr Waskie, a historian and professor at Temple University.
Acting on the advice of experts and scientists, the museum wants to plumb the sample for evidence of the numerous maladies that Mr Lincoln was supposed to have had.
"There are a number of investigators who are looking into Lincoln's physical state; there is always been some fascination about that," Mr Waskie said.
"Categorically we are going to continue with the investigation. It may lead to DNA analysis. We feel it will not damage the artefact in a great extent."
According to some theories, Mr Lincoln was suffering from cancer at the time of his death at age 56 of a gunshot to the head.
John Sotos, who has written books on the subject of Mr Lincoln's health and will be among the researchers examining the blood sample, believes Mr Lincoln suffered from Marfan syndrome.
A genetic disorder of the conjunctive tissues, Marfan syndrome is characterised by long limbs, premature cataracts or glaucoma, heart problems and often premature death.
Mr Lincoln also is believed to have suffered from chronic depression, which he himself referred to as "melancholy".
Mr Waskie said even Mr Lincoln's paternity has been questioned by experts, adding, "It may come out of the investigation."
"It's almost like CSI, we are doing a detective investigation," he said, referring to the television series that dramatises the use of modern forensics in solving crimes.
"Was Lincoln suffering from an uncurable disease? Was he going to die anyway?"
The museum hopes to present the experts' conclusions this year as part of the celebrations marking Mr Lincoln's 200th birthday, which was February 12.
Ain't edukatshun grand?
Died in 1985? I had no idea he lingered that long...
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Thanks nickcarraway. |
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Ummm, we're all going to "die anyway"...
Did you miss reading post #8?
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