Medicine: Ardmore Disease

Among the airmen stationed at Ardmore Air Force Base in southern Oklahoma, an increasing number no longer walked with brisk military step or the traditional wild-blue-yonder look. First by ones and twos, then at the rate of ten a day, they shuffled with short, gingerly steps to the base hospital. Heads sunk to their chests, their breathing fast and shallow, they complained that it hurt if they breathed deeply. Any jarring motion, even from a few brisk steps, was painful. Some kept their arms folded to serve as a sort of splint for the...

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