Treatments for Syphilis, 17th century

Interior scene showing people involved in various methods of syphilis treatment, including mercury fumigation. At lower right is a man in the final stages of the disease, with syphilitic skin pustules on his whole body and no nose. At lower center a patient is in a steam bath or sauna. At left and upper center, physicians are preparing medications for the patient in the bed at upper right; at this time, medications for syphilis contained mercury, a poisonous metal. The banner at top center refers to Venus, the goddess of love. Syphilis is caused by infection by the Treponema pallidum bacterium. Image from Leipzig, Germany, 1689

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom

1600s 1689 Abnormal Fumigation Infected Infection Lesion Mercury Pathology Pustule Sauna Sexually Syphilis Syphilitic Transmitted Venereal

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