What disease does Colum MacKenzie suffer from in Outlander? Details explored

Historical fantasy drama Outlander has explored various complex series in the franchise, one of them being Gary Lewis' Colum Mackenzie, who reigns over one of the most powerful clans. Throughout the show, he is an influential part who gets significant coverage as the plot delves deeper into all the intricate details of the characters.

Mackenzie prepared to be a laird of the clans growing up, and was the eldest son of Jacob and Anne Mackenzie. He is married to Letitia Chisholm, as a result of a treaty between the clans. However, as he enters adulthood, tragedy strikes as a physical deformity forms in his legs as a result of unhealed bones after injuries. Set in the 1600s-1700s, Mackenzie's disease is not explored in depth in the novels or the film. However, the condition that he has is called Toulouse-Lautrec Syndrome.

Around this time Jacob dies and his reign over the clans is questioned as he would be physically unfit to go to war. The clan had to choose between Collum and his brother Douglas, but ultimately chose the former for he had the capabilities to lead even if he was physically unfit. Douglas stayed beside Collum as his physical support and led wars when the tie arose.

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Colum Mackenzie's fate after suffering from Toulouse-Lautrec

The disease Collum is named after Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who lived in the 1800s and died in the early 1900s. Claire Randall, a nurse in the series, diagnoses him with the syndrome. The disease is genetic and unlike as shown in the series, it is not a result of his injuries but something he was born with it. His injuries later on just exacerbated the disease and left them unhealed, creating immobility in his legs. Collum uses wine as an escape from chronic pain as a result of the disease and becomes a connoisseur of wine.

The disease ultimately became the reason for Collum's death as he continuously suffered under it. It becomes difficult for him to reign over the clans and live under the deformity. He asks Claire for something strong to alleviate the pain, who suggests opium, but he asks for something stronger, insinuating that he is demanding something stronger. As per his request, Claire offers him a vial of cyanide.

Before he gets a chance to use it, though, he dies in 1745.

Toulouse-Lautrec syndrome features physical symptoms such as short stature, fragile bones, large skull, short distal phalanges, and dental issues. There has not yet been any cure for the disease, even now.