E13: Syphilis – Its early history and Treatment until Penicillin and the Debate on its Origins by John Frith

This article, "Syphilis – Its early history and Treatment until Penicillin - JMVH", provides a comprehensive overview of the history of syphilis, including its origins, spread, symptoms, and various treatments throughout different periods. It discusses the debate surrounding whether syphilis originated in the Old World or was brought from the New World by Christopher Columbus, presenting arguments and evidence for both "Columbian" and "pre-Columbian" hypotheses, along with the "Unitarian" theory. The article also highlights the impact of the disease on military personnel and details the evolution of treatments from mercury and arsenic compounds to the revolutionary introduction of penicillin in 1943. Finally, the text explores the social ramifications of syphilis and how medical understanding of the disease advanced over centuries.

You can view the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/syphilis-its-early-history-and-treatment-until-penicillin-and-the-debate-on-its-origins/