Al Capone, the infamous American mobster known for his dominance in the 1930s bootlegging scene, amassed great wealth and instilled fear with his ruthless tactics.
However, newly uncovered medical records obtained by DailyMail.com reveal a startling revelation about Capone’s mental state plummeting to that of a seven-year-old child due to neurosyphilis – a severe form of s–ually transmitted syphilis affecting the nervous system.
Following his release from Alcatraz in 1939 after a tax evasion conviction in 1931, Dr. Joseph Moore, Capone’s physician in Baltimore, documented the drastic decline in Capone’s cognitive abilities.
The illness ravaged his brain functions to such an extent that he never recovered beyond the mental age of a fourteen-year-old.
Despite once reigning over the bootlegging industry in the 1930s, Capone’s mental deterioration was starkly evident as his intellectual capacity regressed.
His struggle with neurosyphilis had a profound impact on his cognitive functions, leading to a significant decline in his mental age.
The medical records shed light on Capone’s final years spent under the care of Dr. Kenneth Phillips at his Miami Beach estate on Palm Island.
They offer a glimpse into the efforts to manage the mobster’s erratic behavior, including diverting his attention towards activities like tending a vegetable garden to keep him occupied.
Dr. Moore’s letter dated January 15, 1941, outlines Capone’s mental state characterized by boisterousness, grandiose ideas, confabulation, and a lack of insight.
Despite some improvement noted during his time in Baltimore, Capone remained in a state of mental deterioration, displaying signs of childishness and irritability towards his family and strangers.
Capone’s diagnosis of syphilis in 1932 ultimately led to his demise at the age of 48 in 1947 due to bronchopneumonia following a stroke.
The auction of Capone’s medical records, including photos from his funeral, provides a deeper understanding of his declining health and mental faculties.
Dr. Moore’s observations hinted at the futility of further treatment to restore Capone’s mental condition to its former state, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and care.
Despite efforts to manage his outbursts and social interactions, Capone’s mental degradation persisted, underscoring the irreversible nature of his condition.
The auction lot containing Capone’s medical papers offers a poignant look into the final days of the notorious mobster, highlighting the challenges faced in caring for a once-powerful figure now reduced to a shadow of his former self.
The documents reflect the complexity of managing Capone’s deteriorating mental health and the futile attempts to restore his lost cognitive abilities.
As Capone’s legacy is revisited through these medical records, his tragic descent serves as a cautionary tale of the devastating consequences of untreated syphilis on the mind and body.
Despite his notoriety in the criminal underworld, Capone’s final years were marked by mental decline and physical ailments, leaving behind a legacy of decline and despair.
