Addison, pernicious anemia and adrenal insufficiency.

In 1849 Thomas Addison described the clinical entity now known as pernicious anemia. In 1855 he reported several cases of adrenal insufficiency, or Addison's disease. Considering the importance of these works, there remains a great deal of confusion about them. Contrary to what many historians have written, a review of Addison's original publications demonstrates a firm appreciation of the distinction between pernicious anemia and adrenal insufficiency, based particularly on the discoloration of the skin in these conditions. Three major sources of possible confusion for historians who are attempting to understand Addison's views include Addison's early attempts to link pernicious anemia with disease of the suprarenal capsules, Addison's redefinition of pernicious anemia in his monograph on adrenal disease, and several confusing statements made by Wilks and Daldy in the first reprint of Addison's monograph.