Hodgkin's disease: origin of an eponym--and one that got away.

Hodgkin's disease, the syndrome of enlarged lymph nodes associated with enlarged spleen, was described in 1832 on the basis of the gross appearance of the affected parts. The eponym entered the medical literature after repeated attempts by Dr. Samuel Wilks to credit Thomas Hodgkin with the priority of discovery. Today, this malady, also known by many other names, is recognized by microscopic examination of histological features. Hodgkin also described retroversion of the aortic valves with insufficiency in 1827 but Dr. Dominic Corrigan, whose report appeared in 1832, was credited with the eponym, despite efforts again by Wilks on behalf of Hodgkin.