Shedding His Skin

Will Rhodes Has Puzzling Skin Disorder

Norfolk Virginian
12 August 1896

A peculiar case has come before the doctors at Forney, Texas.  Will Rhodes, a young farmer, is just able to be up, having completely shed his skin.  He brought to town the skin of one of his hands, and it is as complete as an old glove.  He has peeled off all over this way.  The skin slips off very easily and breaks but very little.  He has been afflicted this way since he was about 6 years old, and whenever he has a fever he begins to shed off as the fever is broken.  This is his first experience of the kind in about five years.

Transcribed by Sarah Kelly.