Of Scabs And Scurf

Notes From a Psoriasis Patient's Journal

By Benjamin Franklin
Special to The Washington Post
Tuesday, January 24, 2006; Page HE01

I first observ'd a kind of Scab or Scurff on my head, about the Bigness of a Shilling [in the early 1770s]. Finding it did not heal, but rather increas'd I mention'd it to my Friend Sir J.P. who advis'd a mercurial Water to wash it, and some Physic. It slowly left that Place but appear'd in other Parts of my Head.

[In 1776] I went to Canada. On the passage I suffer'd much from a number of large Boiles. In Canada my Legs swell'd and I apprehended a Dropsy. Boils continu'd and harrass'd me after my Return, but the Swelling of my Legs pass'd off. The Boils however left round them a kind of dry Scab or Scurfiness, which being rubb'd off appear'd in the Form of white Bran.



Did Benjamin Franklin choose his headgear in an effort to hide his skin condition? History is mum. (American Philosophical Society)




. . . In my Passage to France Nov. 1776 I lived chiefly on Salt Beef, the Fowls being too hard for my Teeth. But being poorly nourish'd, I was very weak at my Arrival; Boils continu'd to vex me, and the Scurff extending over all the small of my Back, on my Sides, my Legs, and my Arms, besides what continued under my Hair, I apply'd to a Physician, who order'd me Bellosto's Pills and an Infusion of a Root. . . . I took the Infusion a while, [but] it being disagreable, and finding no Effect I omitted it. I continu'd longer to take the Pills; but finding my Teeth loosning and that I had lost 3, I desisted the Use of them.

I found that bathing stop'd the Progress of the Disorder. I therefore took the Hot Bath twice a Week two Hours at a time till this last Summer. It always made me feel comfortable, as I rubb'd off the softned Scurff in the warm Water; and I otherwise enjoy'd exceeding good Health.

. . . In July the Disorder began to diminish, at first slowly, but afterwards rapidly; and by the Beginning of October, it had quitted entirely my Legs Feet Thighs, and Arms, and my Belly, a very little was left on my Sides, more on the small of my Back, but the whole daily diminishing. I observ'd that where there was no Redness under the Scurff, if I took it once off it did not return. I had hardly bath'd in those 3 Months. I took no Remedy whatever and I know not what to ascribe the Change to, unless it was the Heat of the Summer, which sometimes made me sweat, particularly when I exercis'd. I had five Boiles just before the Amendment commenc'd, which discharged a great deal of Matter. And once my Legs began to swell.

. . . October 3rd I ate no Breakfast, but a hearty Dinner, and at Night found my Back itch extreamly near the Shoulders which continues to day the 4th. I ate some Salted Beef at Dinner yesterday but not much. I wish the Cool Weather may not bring on a return of the Disorder.

Oct. 4. The Itching continues, but somewhat abated.

Oct. 6. Drank but one Glass of Wine to day; the Itching almost gone. I begin to think it will be better for me to abstain from Wine. My Dinner to day was Mutton boil'd and Fowl, with a good deal of Fruit.

Oct. 12. I have lately drank but little Wine. The Itching has not return'd. The Scurff continues to diminish. But yesterday I observ'd my Ancles swell'd. I suppose my having us'd no Exercise lately may be the Cause.

Jan. 14, 1779. The Swelling above mention'd continu'd some few Weeks, being greatest at Night, my Complexion at the same time not fresh; at length the Itching return'd, and a new Set of Eruptions of scurfy Spots appear'd in many Parts of my Body. My Back had never been entirely clear'd and the Scurf began to increase there and extend itself. But it is not yet so bad as it has been, and it seems to spare the parts that were before affected, except in my Back. The Swelling has left my Legs, which are now as dry and firm as ever, and I feel myself otherwise on perfect health, and have as much Vigour and Activity as can be expected at my Age. So that I begin to be more reconcil'd to this troublesome disorder, as considering it an Effort of nature to get rid of Peccant Matter, that might if not so discharg'd, break up my Constitution.

. . . Jan. 16, 1780. I have enjoy'd good Health ever since the last Date. Towards the End of the Summer most of the Disorder in my Skin disappeared, a little only remaining on my left Arm, a little under each Breast, and some on the small of the Back. I had taken at different times a good deal of Dr. Pringle's Prescription; but whether that occasion'd the Amendment, or whether it was the Heat of the Summer as I suppos'd in October 1778, I am uncertain. The disorder seems to be now increasing again, and appears upon my hands. I am otherwise well; my Legs sound; To-morrow I enter my 75th Year. ·

Benjamin Franklin was an architect of U.S. democracy, a diplomat, an inventor and a psoriasis patient. These excerpts are adapted from his writings about the skin condition, appearing in "The Papers of Benjamin Franklin" (Oct. 14, 1778 through Jan. 16, 1780). The writings were assembled by Mike Paranzino, president of Psoriasis Cure Now!, a Kensington-based nonprofit group to mark the 300th anniversary of Franklin's birth. Paranzino said he wants people know that the incurable skin condition affects many productive, accomplished people -- and to demonstrate how little has changed for psoriasis patients in 300 years. For information on psoriasis conditions and treatment: www.psorcurenow. org.