This I found interesting. I found it on Dr. Eaton's sight.


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DUPUYTREN'S DISEASE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
AND LINKS TO PUBLISHED STUDIES: FAQS & FACTS
This page includes answers to frequently asked questions regarding Dupuytren's disease. There is quite a bit known about Dupuytren's, but because we don't yet have all of the pieces of the puzzle, the bits that we do know don't all fit tidily together. There are also a fair number of undocumented urban legends. This page only includes information which has been investigated and published in recognized medical journals - the stuff that doctors read. For verification and more information, this page links to source material at the National Library of Medicine. Browse around! There's quite a bit here to consider. What is Dupuytren's disease? Dupuytren's contracture is a benign condition which causes a tightening of the flesh beneath the skin of the palm and can result in permanently bent fingers. Technically, it is described as proliferation of contractile, fibroblastic cells involving the palmar fascia of the hand. It is chronic and progressive 11252689 . Involved areas show microscopic inflammation 10463754, similar to that seen in wound healing 6740656 and some types of cancer 6491814, as though the body were healing a deep wound beneath the skin 10473143, 8056970 MORE BELOW



Why is it called "Dupuytren's"? Guillaume Dupuytren (1777-1835) was Napoleon's surgeon, and in his time was the most famous surgeon in France. In 1831 at the Hotel-Dieu Hospital in Paris, he performed surgery and then lectured on a condition causing bent fingers, which since has borne his name 9457317. Dupuytren was not the first to describe the condition - it could just have well been called "Cooper's Contracture": Sir Astley Cooper published a description of the disease and its surgical treatment in England nearly 10 years before Dupuytren 12864830. Others preceeded him in describing the condition, including anatomist Felix Plater 200 years earlier 9206674, 7498844, 6360477.

Dupuytren's in History: Dupuytren's disease has been referred to as a Viking or Celtic disease, but existed in Europe earlier than the Viking Age 8345270 and originated much earlier in prehistory 12015711 . James Barrie, author of "Peter Pan" had a right contracture thought to be Dupuytren's, which formed the source material for Captain Hook's hook. The Papal Benediction sign, with bent ring and small fingers, may have started with a pope with the condition 10050238.