| Photo of the Month February 2025 |
| See Previous Photos Unknown Faces and Places |
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| Bonnie (Pfeifer) Morell Collection |
The eldest six children of Norman and Jennie (Enos) Snyder of Indian Head, PA pose for this portrait photograph circa 1916 – left to right: Verda Firestone, Clarence, Kathryn Prinkey, Mabel Richter holding baby James, and Pauline Brown. Daughters Dollie Laymon and Erma Laymon would be born later.
The eldest, Clarence, second from left, suffered from a congenital birth defect known as "hydrocephalus," a fluid buildup in the cranium and commonly called "water on the brain," which caused an over-enlarged head area. Such fluid typically exerts pressure and can lead to brain damage. This image suggests that a side effect for Clarence was a lazy right eye.
He never married, resided with his parents and eventually became blind. He died at the age of 52 in 1957, having lost both his father and mother within the previous three years.
While there is no cure today, this condition is treatable with surgery to insert a shunt that drains the fluid away. Many patients are able to lead normal lives.
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Copyright © 2025 Mark A. Miner |
