Medieval syphilis and treponemal disease / Marylynn Salmon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Salmon, Marylynn

Series:

Past Imperfect.

Past Imperfect

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Paleopathology--Europe--Middle ages.

Paleopathology.

Syphilis.

Treponematoses.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 95 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Distribution:

London : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2023.

Place of Publication:

Leeds : Arc Humanities Press, 2022.

System Details:

text file HTML

Summary:

Leaders in the field of paleopathology have found enough evidence to prove that treponematosis, including syphilis, existed in ancient and medieval Afro-Eurasia, settling a decades-long debate. Yet documentary and artistic evidence to support this important work remains scarce. After summarizing the confirmed cases of treponematosis detected to date, this book turns to contemporary accounts about the death of the English king, Edward IV, that strongly indicate syphilis as the cause. It then considers further evidence suggesting contemporary awareness that elites tended to experience the disease more severely than commoners, and includes numerous examples from medical treatises and artworks that are highly suggestive that both endemic and venereal treponematosis (bejel and syphilis) were present in late medieval Europe. In doing so, the author hopes to spark a conversation not only about the existence of the disease in various places and times, but also its wider impact on premodern society and culture.

Contents:

The contributions of clinicians and paleopathologists

Deciphering two opaque sources on the death of King Edward IV of England

Evidence from medical writings : a suggestive example

Evidence from illuminated manuscripts, stained glass, and paintings.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 06 Dec 2022).

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9781802700909

1802700900

9781641899352

1641899352

9781802700893

1802700897

OCLC:

1345580711