Morphea is a skin condition known as a scleroderma, meaning hard skin.. The skin becomes thick and hard because it contains too much collagen and other proteins. There are two types of scleroderma, a systemic type and a localized type.
When in the minority, the Whip is the second highest position behind the Minority Leader. Of the 25 members who have served as Democratic Whip, five later became House Speaker, eight became Democratic Leader, and two moved over to the Senate.
An exception was Andrew Mitchell, the Government Chief Whip in 2012, who appeared on television to deny remarks made about himself. Whips in the House of Commons do not speak in debates. The Government Chief Whip is assisted by the Deputy Chief Whip, other Whips, and Assistant Whips. In order to give them a salary for what is in essence a party office, the government whips are appointed to positions in HM Treasury and in the Royal Household under the Lord Steward of the Household.