Hugh, Duncan, and All,
Yes, JFK had Addison's disease and was heavily dosed with corticosteroids, the accepted treatment of that time. Hence, the healthy JFK "suntan" in the photo-ops and on our black and white TV screens.
JFK wore a back brace almost constantly. And remember his rocking chair? If JFK was wearing his back brace at the time of his death, it makes it even more interesting to try to connect the dots from the bullet holes in his clothing and line them up with his actual wounds.
Had JFK's medical condition been known to the public, it is doubtful he would have been elected, and during his term in office the public was studiously shielded from this knowledge.
While I'm on the subject, try to find a press picture of FDR in a wheelchair or leg braees or, for that matter, any press photo of FDR showing him from the waist down. There are none. However, tapes of his "Fireside Chats" are easy to come by.
Taking JFK's and FDR's serious medical infirmaties into consideration, I find it difficult to buy into their reputations as White House Lotharios.
Holly |
