Mary's Reputation

[RJNorton]

Laurie, certainly that was the case. Roughly 7 months before she died she was examined by several doctors, and they wrote:

"We find that Mrs Lincoln is suffering from chronic inflammation of the spinal cord, chronic disease of the kidneys, and commencing cataract of both eyes. The disorder of the spinal cord is the consequence of an injury received some time since and has resulted in considerable loss of power of both lower extremities so as to lessen their use and to render walking without assistance very unsafe, and going unaided down stairs impossible. The nature of the spinal trouble, progressive and will end in paralysis of the lower extremities. Connected with the spinal disease and one of its evidences is the reflex paralysis of the iris of the eye, and the reduction of the sight to one-tenth natural standard, together with much narrowing of the field of vision. The sight will gradually grow worse."