20 Aug /13

Syphilis

Syphilis is an extremely unpleasant sexually transmitted disease which has been active since at least the start of the 1500s.

The word syphilis was first used by Girolamo Fracastoro, an Italian professor of medicine whose theory of the transfer of disease by spores was generally accepted until the idea of microorganisms or germs took its place. In 1530 he published a three volume epic poem entitled “Syphilis or The French Disease” The unfortunate protagonist Syphilus, a Greek shepherd, insulted Apollo (the Greek god of the sun) and was punished with the disease. The translation into English came only in 1688.

However, the word was first used in English by William Harvey in 1653. Harvey was the first person to identify the circulation of the blood. He also introduced the word ovary into English. Harvey stated that syphilis was not only infectious but remained infectious and was virtually incurable, making Apollo’s punishment all the more harsh.

While it could hardly be described as fashionable, syphilis has had its share of distinguished sufferers. Rembrandt had a congenital form, while Schopenhauer, Schubert and Manet are reported to have suffered from the disease. A real cure only came in the 20th century with the discovery of penicillin.