Question

Quétel Claude. 1990. History of Syphilis. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore, Maryland.

1. Describe in some detail how the attitudes toward sexually transmitted diseases in general and syphilis specifically changed through the 18^th, 19^th and 20^th century.

2. Where and when did the first documented epidemic of syphilis occur? What ethnic, social, and occupational groups were involved in the initial epidemic and the subsequent spread of the disease through Europe.

3. What treatments where attempted to cure syphilis before the discovery of antibiotics?

4. Who was Ulrich von Hutten? How does his biography relate to the history of syphilis?

Answer 1

2. The first documented epidemic of syphyllis occurred in Naples, Italy in 1400s. The french troops were effected first and then the diseases spread across Europe.

3. Mercury and Guaiacum were used to drive the diseases causing substance out of the body. Along with this baths with wine and other herbs were also used, draining out blood etc.

4. Ulrich von Hutten was a germa scholar who suffered from syphillis and wrote a book about the french disease (syphilis) - its symptoms and its treatment with guaiacum.