Posted on 15/01/08
Columbus brought syphilis to Europe, study shows
The Dutch called it the Spanish disease. The Russians called it the Polish disease. The French blamed the Italians and the Italians blamed the French.Ever since Europe recorded the first epidemic of syphilis in 1495, fierce debate has raged over the origins of the best-known venereal disease. Was it a homegrown, Old World bug that suddenly stalked the boudoirs of Renaissance Europe? Or did Christopher Columbus bring the sexually transmitted infection back from the New World, just like tobacco?
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