Perhaps the oldest sexually transmitted disease in human
history, syphilis is an extremely contagious bacterial infection. The origin of
the disease is shrouded in mystery, and records of it go back to the time of
Columbus’ famous voyage. Even today, Historians are not sure where in the world
syphilis originated. Syphilis outbreaks
were not uncommon during colonial times, and early treatments included mercury infused ointments and sweat baths. None of those treatments were remotely
successful, but records suggest that the number of cases steadily declined over
time. However, the 1950s saw a dramatic rise in syphilis diagnoses, and the number
of children being born with the disease was higher than ever. Syphilis had
always been greatly feared by society. Symptoms of the disease include
grotesque sores and disfigurement, and the negative effects of the mercury
treatments were often wrongly attributed to syphilis itself. The scariest
aspect of all was that the disease was transmitted through an inevitable human behavior,
sex. The widespread use of penicillin as a cure for syphilis allowed for more
non-traditional sexual relations, and helped to launch the sexual revolution.
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ReplyDeleteI agree that the creation of a treatment for syphilis helped to bring about the sexual revolution. With a reduced risk of contracting syphilis, more casual sex became much safer. As the number of people with syphilis spiked in the 1950s, the creation of a treatment was no doubt very important, attributing to the poster's kairos.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the cure for syphilis came at a pivotal time and together with other factors, such as more open-mindedness and contraception, lead to the sexual revolution. Not only did casual sex become more socially acceptable, but it also posed less of a health threat.
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