45 - The French Disease at 500
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The Toxic Impact of Mercury on Human Health
This chapter explores the effects of mercury toxicity, highlighting its links to excessive salivation and urination. It examines the biochemical mechanisms influencing catecholamine levels and illustrates these points through animal experiments and a notable case study.
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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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