He fed fevers!

Robert James Graves was an Irish surgeon who described a case of exophthalmos with goiter in 1835. The disease was named after him and is commonly referred to as Graves' disease and is the commonest cause of hyperthyroidism. Less commonly it is also known as Begbie's disease, Parry's disease, Flajani's disease, Marsh's disease etc. Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism may include muscle weakness, weight loss, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, poor tolereance of heat etc.
Some interesting facts about Robert James Graves :

• He had a gift for languages. He was thought to be a German spy and arrested for travelling without a passport as the authorities could not believe that an Irishman could speak German so fluently.
• He introduced new methods of clinical teaching which are followed to this day.
• He introduced the timing of pulse by watch.
• He was the first to introduce the practice of giving food and liquids to patients with fever instead of withholding it. He jokingly suggested an epitaph for himself " He fed fevers"!
• He is the uncredited inventor of the second-hand on watches.

Some notable cases of Graves' disease include

• George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush
• Gail Devers,American sprinter
• Marty Feldman, a British comedian, who used his bulging eyes as part of his act.

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