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1494
First case Reported
The first reported case of syphilis was in 1494by French Soldiers, donning the disease the name of "French Disease. This resulted in the first breakout of the disease and many deaths occurred. -
1530
Syphilis is given its Name.
In 1530 an Italian physician, Girolamo Fracastoro first applied the term syphilis to the disease. -
Period: 1531 to
No major news of syphilis recorded
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Period: to
20th Century treatments
Before the early 20th century, the treatment for syphilis can be seen as barbaric, or simply plain ridiculous. The primary treatment of syphilis until the 20th century was mercury. This was in the form of ointments, steam baths, pills and other ridiculous concoctions. Mercury in itself to humans has serious consequences and the side effects to this treatment method was dire. -
Bacteria and Cause of the disease identified
In 1905 the cause of this disease was identified by Fritz Schaudinn and Erich Hoffmann. -
Wassermann Blood Test
Before the Wassermann Blood Test, the diagnosis method was scientific and relied on the evaluation of visible symptoms like the chancres and the rash, which tended to disappear after a certain amount of time in the disease’s progression. This lacking method meant that a syphilitic person may spread the disease onto other sexual partners without realising it, due to misdiagnosis, or no diagnosis at all. -
Effective Treatment Discovered
The first effective treatment for syphilis was Salvarsan, developed in 1910 by Paul Ehrlich -
Effectiveness of Penicillin Confirmed
The effectiveness of treatment with penicillin was confirmed in trials in 1943.