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Related Experiment Videos

Lou Gehrig, rawhide, and 1938.

Melissa Lewis1, Paul H Gordon

  • 1Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Research Center, Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

Neurology
|February 21, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Lou Gehrig likely did not have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) during his 1938 baseball season. Visible signs of ALS first appeared in his hand muscles after May 1938.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Medical History

Background:

  • Speculation exists regarding the onset of Lou Gehrig's Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) symptoms, with some suggesting they appeared during his 1938 film role.
  • Misinterpreted uniform logos have led to incorrect dating of photographs, complicating the timeline of Gehrig's visible physical decline.

Discussion:

  • Analysis of the film "Rawhide" (January 1938) indicated Gehrig's motor function was normal, with a modified ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS) score showing no signs of ALS.
  • Verification of New York Yankees uniform logos with the Baseball Hall of Fame revealed that 1938 uniforms were mistakenly dated as 1939, impacting photographic evidence.
  • Photographs from spring 1938 showed normal hand and leg function, contrasting with a photograph from October 1939 that clearly depicted hand atrophy.

Key Insights:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Lou Gehrig's motor function in "Rawhide" (January 1938) was normal, refuting claims of symptomatic ALS during that period.
  • Visible evidence of ALS, specifically hand muscle atrophy, was documented no earlier than May 1938.
  • Correct dating of uniform logos is crucial for accurately assessing historical medical evidence in athletes.

Outlook:

  • Further research could explore subtle, pre-symptomatic indicators of ALS in athletes.
  • This case highlights the importance of rigorous historical and photographic analysis in medical research.
  • Understanding the precise timeline of ALS onset in notable figures like Lou Gehrig can inform current diagnostic and research efforts.