Fascination with Joseph Merrick, the self-proclaimed Elephant Man, began with his exhibition in freak shows throughout England and persists in popular culture to this day. His story has been adapted to books, Broadway, and film, but, despite the volumes of information that can be obtained on his life, the nature of his illness has remained an enigma. Over the years doctors have speculated about the disease or combination of diseases that led to Merrick's grotesque disfiguration, with some of the most interesting diagnoses proving to be the least feasible.
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