Homeless Subterranean

jeeff: 18th Oct 2005 - 16:12 GMT

that guy's twin lives in toronto. i've seen him riding on the subway and riding a bicycle very slowly up keele street. i wonder what's up with the legs. gangrene or something?

Peter: 18th Oct 2005 - 16:17 GMT

ive wondered that, too. its a problem that seems comparatively common amongst homeless populations. at first, i thought maybe it was some sort of gout, but that wouldnt really explain the scabbing/sores. as far as i can tell, it might be edema, which is telling, as its premier causes are bad nutrition, many hours on one's feet, chronic lung disease and low protein levels in the blood... factors that im sure effect many homeless.

www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/9883.html

regardless, ouch!

kobe: 18th Oct 2005 - 18:50 GMT

i saw this and was like "hmm". then i saw the persons legs and was like "eek"!

jack: 18th Oct 2005 - 20:25 GMT

pity the sleepers who die in front of us. who are they? at one time they were someone's child. they're little boy, filled with promises and dreams of a life that might have or never came. who are they?

StripesA4: 21st Oct 2005 - 01:55 GMT

thats some sad shit right there i9ve seen homless people with toes mssing ang that green stuff on the cut

annie: 27th Oct 2005 - 14:29 GMT

dude, i've seen that guy before. i remember him because of the sad, scary legs

Peter: 17th Nov 2005 - 15:52 GMT

another, this time in brooklyn, at the grand army plaza stop:

wheatster: 10th Dec 2005 - 23:42 GMT

thats from years of boozin go 2 hester st in the bowery flop house city
they all have them scabz

AmfOne: 11th Feb 2007 - 21:35 GMT

The legs might be burns from sleeping on heating grates

bklyn: 21st Oct 2007 - 22:30 GMT

Help us help the street homeless

Call 311: to report homeless individuals and families who you see on the Streets of New York City (all Boroughs)

Outreach Teams will be sent to offer assistance.

Thank you

Mitch Waxman: 23rd Nov 2007 - 09:59 GMT

The legs are from abcesses caused by the heroin. Used to know a guy on 22nd street called "Johnny Rottenlegs" who did this to himself as well. Shoot dope, and veins collapse, causing swelling and edema. Infection sets into the inflamed tissue, and since "self-medication" is what its all about... Not pretty, but its life in the big city and all that. Look for it, and you'll see all kinds of basball mitt hands, red-swollen wrists, and oddly shaped legs all over town.

Unique: 27th Feb 2008 - 21:35 GMT

wow, these pictures show how fortunate we really r, I really feel bad about these people if I had enough money and will power I would built A giant home 4 all the homeless ppl out there in each part of the world!!!!!!
My heart goes out 2 them

Natalie: 17th Oct 2008 - 04:08 GMT

"Homelessness, Health & Human Needs", published in 1998 by the Institue of Medicine says "pustular lesions secondary to insect bites and other infestations are common to homeless people" Additionally, "venous stasis of the lower extremities is caused by prolonged periods of sitting or sleeping with the legs down...this predisposes to dependent edema, cellulitis & skin ulcerations." So it's not all heroin or alcohol. It's from what this guy has to do as shown exactly in the picture, sleep on a train with his legs hanging down. That is a painful life.