Anne Fitsimons

1839

40-year-old Anne Fitsimons was suffering from gangrene in 1839. By the stage shown in the illustration Anne would have been in a lot of pain. She would have felt generally unwell with chills and a fever.

1839

Some of Anne's physical symptoms are evident in the illustration: discolouration, swelling, and loss of tissue. Walking would have been difficult and painful. She had probably been suffering with the condition for quite some time before seeking medical attention. It is likely that, to survive, Anne would have had to have both feet amputated.

The images were created at different times – note the subtle changes in skin texture and the size of the sores. Medical illustrations were important in recording textures and colours that indicate specific diseases. In this case, gangrene.