45 - The French Disease at 500
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The Historical Journey of Syphilis
This chapter explores the historical significance and medical understanding of syphilis, tracing its origins back to the late 15th century. It highlights key figures like William Osler and Hirolamo Fracastoro, discussing their contributions to the evolving perception of the disease and its transmission. Through artistic representations and early medical theories, the chapter emphasizes the importance of historical context in shaping contemporary medical practices.
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In 1495, a mysterious and deadly plague struck the city of Naples. Over the next 500 years, the medical attempts to understand and treat this new disease -- syphilis -- would mold and shape medicine in surprising ways. In this episode, Tony Breu and I will perform an historical and physiological biography of syphilis, covering the development of germ theory, epic poetry, mercury saunas, intentionally infecting patients with malaria, magic bullets, and lots and lots of experiments on poor rabbits. This presentation was performed live at the American College of Physicians’ national meeting in Philadelphia on April 11, 2019.
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