What was wrong with kaiser Wilhelm's arm?

Answer 1

Wilhelm's mother, Victoria (Princess Royal of the UK), had a very difficult breech delivery that was further complicated by both German and British doctors being called in to attend the birth. Many techniques were used to help the mother, but ultimately doctors believed both mother and unborn infant would die. As a last resort, one doctor surgically opened the birth canal (not a Caesarian section) and used forceps to pull the baby out. Wilhelm was both bottom first, and had his left arm up over his head when he was dragged out. Born blue and seemingly dead, his arm virtually crushed by the forceps, he was initially thought to be dead, but vigourous rubbing (probably damaging the arm further) finally forced him to breathe. It is speculated that he was deprived of oxygen for many minutes, possibly causing some of the emotional impairment seen throughout his life. Due to the traumatic birth, his damaged arm was not noticed for some time afterward, and the nerve damage was irreversible. Wilhelm's left arm was always smaller than the other. He was forced to undergo many barbaric contraptions and treatments to try to lengthen and strengthen the arm, and was never photographed or painted without it being hidden or propped on a sword, book, etc, so as to make it look "normal". His clothing was specially made with higher pockets, and he was rarely see without gloves or similar distracting articles.