The Blue Fugates

In the early 1800’s a man from France immigrated to Kentucky and married an American woman. More than half their children ended up with very blue skin. Listen this week as Lynne explains the medical phenomenon behind the Fugate family’s indigo hue. Many thanks to Amie for the suggestion! 

Sources:

1. A Short History of Kentucky/Central Appalachia, no byline

2. Methemoglobin by Chris Higgins

3. Methemoglobinemia by John T Ludlow, Richard G Wilkerson, and Thomas M Nappe

4. Methemoglobinemia by Habib Ur Rehman

5. Blue Fugates: The True Story of Kentucky’s Blue People by Madison Whipple

6. The Fugate Family of Kentucky Has Had Blue Skin for Centuries – Here’s Why by Gabe Paolettti

7. The True Story of the Blue People of Kentucky by Dave Roos