Pregledni rad

Syphilis in the early New Age

Mislav Čavka ; Zavod za dijagnostičku i intervencijsku radiologiju, Klinička bolnica Dubrava, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Jana Fila ; Klinika za tumore, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Tomislav Kelava ; Katedra za fiziologiju, Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Sažetak

Syphilis is a mild sexually transmitted disease manifesting in three phases which under proper therapy doesn’t reach the third stadium. However, in the past, this was not the case. There are several theories about the origin of syphilis and the American theory which suggests the spread of syphilis in Europe after discovery of America is the most accepted. The official medicine reacted very promptly and tried to find the cure and these attempts created two different streams, intercessors of guaiacum and mercury. Their confrontation continued until the 20th century. In the situation of economic and institutional crisis, the society also reacted with decision to found hospitals, specialized in treating syphilis. With the finding of penicillin as an efficient cure and its common appliance in the 20th century, syphilis was practically wiped out from history, although it is present even today in our society more than we commonly think. In this review we presented the history of syphilis in Europe and emphasized that the appearance of disease coincides with the beginning of the New age, although the boundary between the Middle ages and the New age is determined artificially.

Ključne riječi

16th century; 17th century; 18th century; history of medicine; sexually transmitted diseases

Hrčak ID:

34699

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/34699

Datum izdavanja:

2.3.2009.

Podaci na drugim jezicima: hrvatski

Posjeta: 4.054 *