Garibaldi's rheumatism.

Abstract

Giuseppe Garibaldi, the charismatic 19th-century Italian revolutionary leader, had complaints of recurrent and often persistent rheumatic pain starting in his early 40s. Symptoms continued until his death at 74, with progressive disability. His diagnosis is uncertain, but rheumatoid arthritis is most likely. Garibaldi coped successfully with his rheumatic illness during most of his military and political career, but eventually became bedridden and dependent.