Sir, The suggestion by Dr Hudd (letter, Dec 2) that Jane Austen died from both Addison’s disease and tuberculosis is supported by the original cases of Addison’s disease described by Dr Thomas Addison at Guy’s Hospital in 1855.
Specimens from three cases still exist in the Gordon Museum, and all have characteristic features of tuberculosis, which was rampant in the 19th century. Addison’s disease has other causes today.
Dr Robin Poston, pathologist
William Edwards, curator
Gordon Museum, Guy’s Campus, King’s College London