Syphilis: Its History and World Impact

Author: Rothschild, Bruce

Source: Current Rheumatology Reviews, Volume 1, Number 2, June 2005 , pp. 199-204(6)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $62.88 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

The history of syphilis is one of irresponsibility, mythology and more recently, scientific insight. Pseudo-Descartian (defined as 'I think, therefore I publish') mythology has until now precluded any cogent discussion of where the disease originated and who was responsible for its spread. Evidence-based research now allows clear separation of syphilis from others in its class of treponematosis. Examination of skeletons from populations with clinically diagnosed bejel and yaws revealed bone alterations distinctive to those diseases and clearly separating them from syphilis. These insights allowed confident identification, for the first time, of the New World origin of syphilis and indeed, the 'smoking gun' in the Dominican Republic. Thus, the role of Columbus' crew in transmitting syphilis from the New World to the Old is confirmed. Finally, the impact of syphilis on history is explored, ranging from character assassination to potential effect on artistic expression and on the madness that enveloped the third to fifth decades of the last century.

Keywords: syphilis; yaws; bejel; columbus; evidence-based diagnosis

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573397054023191

Affiliations: 1: Arthritis Center of Northeast Ohio, 5500 Market, Youngstown, OH 44512, USA.

Publication date: 2005-06-01

More about this publication?

Current Rheumatology Reviews publishes frontier reviews on all the latest advances on rheumatology and its related areas e.g. pharmacology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical care, and therapy. The journal's aim is to publish the highest quality review articles dedicated to clinical research in the field.

The journal is essential reading for all researchers and clinicians in rheumatology.