Columbus Not Bringing Syphillis To the Queen
Explorer, conqueror, and, to some, the carrier of syphilis back to Europe from the New World, Columbus’ reputation seemed set in stone for eternity. Now some nifty forensic archeology may have exonerated the Admiral of the Ocean Sea from responsibility for the scourge that was first documented in Europe two years after his return from the West Indies. Researchers digging in an old church cemetery in East London say they’ve discovered bodies from the 13th and 14th Centuries which show tell-tale signs of syphilis like rough patches on the limbs and skulls of the corpses. Bodies interred with the disease two centuries before Columbus’ voyage would seem like exciting proof to Anglo scientists. However, the Brits managed to contain themselves: “We’re confident that Christopher Columbus is simply not a feature of the emergence and timing of the disease in Europe,” Brian Connell of the Museum of London said.
Now all that we know for sure is that the Europeans gifted diseases like smallpox and measles to the native populations but got precious little in return, that little island at the mouth of the Hudson River notwithstanding. Vikings are now the chief suspects for bringing the epidemic.
Source: AOLNews
Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
The Vikings probably caught it from the Brits when they were raiding and pillaging in Britain and Ireland!
I remained dressed and behaved like a gentleman at all times so don’t look at me.
Sure, Buddha sure. Please then explain to us where you got that “horny” hat!
mespo,
You can get an STD from wearing a hat? Who knew?
Elaine,
it depends on Where he is wearing that hat!
“Vikings are now the chief suspects for bringing the epidemic.”
At first I could not ‘believe’ that these vikings could be responsible for such a horrid disease; however, when they started sangin’ ‘In the Navy’ I put 2 ‘n 2 together and yep, they are the culprits…case closed.
P.S. That is one ‘way out there’ Muppets video!
rafflaw,
I would assume he’d wear it on his head–where else???
No double-entendre intended.
Sometimes it’s not wear the hat is worn, but with what style it is worn.
Ff Leo,
I love the Muppets–and I love Craig Ferguson too!
Former Federal LEO: Perfect.
FFLEO,
I second anon nurse.
Elaine,
I forget what night it was last week, but Craig did a bit where he opened the show with a sheep puppet that had me in tears. There is something wrong with that boy. I mean that in best way possible. Even with my stated aversion to being on television, that’s a show I’d go on just to enjoy the crazy ride.
Elaine M.
Our posts crossed… Signed, Another Ferguson fan
Mespo mentioned vikings and horns so this old 1959 film brings more credence/evidence that the vikings were the vectors of disease.
The horn is @ timeframes 04:14 to 04:44
This was my favorite movie in 1959 and the soundtrack, including the ‘horn’ melody, is one of the best.
Vikings, Muppets and Craig Ferguson, a great thread. I agree with you Elaine, I too just looooove Craig. His musical numbers (With puppets!)are outstanding.
I’d be curious to read the scientists’ original paper. The AOL News story doesn’t really do a good job of explaining the theory of why the disease blossomed into an epidemic outbreak in 1495, even if there had been isolated cases of a disease with similar bone damage 100+ years earlier. (Epidemic syphilis bore little resemblance to the mild-mannered, long-acting pathogen we know today. The fact that an extreme epidemic occurred suggests a virgin population.)
*wince* There really was no pun intended.
http://news.discovery.com/history/columbus-didnt-sail-syphilis-back-to-europe.html
Sheds additional light…
FFLeo is smokin’!! Love them Muppets
http://news.discovery.com/history/columbus-didnt-sail-syphilis-back-to-europe.html
Unfortunately the article in The Times is behind a paywall.
anon nurse,
Whoops, beaten to it.
James M.
1, November 1, 2010 at 12:57 am
*wince* There really was no pun intended.
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Too bad ’cause it was a great one!
Hi Blouise,
While some of my posts might suggest that I might be under the influence of some drug, I have never smoked any weed or uncultivated plant stronger than grapevine–not even corn silks.
Former Federal LEO
1, November 1, 2010 at 1:21 am
Hi Blouise,
While some of my posts might suggest that I might be under the influence of some drug, I have never smoked any weed or uncultivated plant stronger than grapevine–not even corn silks.
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I was referring to “smokin’ hot” … as in “on fire”, “fired up”, “burning rubber”, “too hot to handle”, “all ablaze”, “hot Mama”, Va Va Voom!, or saxy sax (sexy saxophone) 8) with shades!
i want to be a conqueror
The Europeans actually got quite a bit from the New World, including: silver and gold, tomatoes, corn, squash, potatoes, slaves, land, timber, hammocks, manioc, etc.
They also got a lot of territory to explore, conquer and settle.
As a matter of fact, it was silver and gold from the New World that financed Spanish and Portuguese exploration of North and South America.
There is a controversy over whether Columbus brought syphilis to America, or found it when he arrived.
HI everyone. I love the postings! I expect to return to find the keys changed and the blog renamed the MED.org (Mark.Elaine.David.org).
I have been enjoying Paris (as I get ready for the conference). We arrived at 5 am and even without sleep (we decided to tough it out and get on Paris time without a nap), a series of espressos proved the trick in keeping us going. The Waldorf Madeleine allowed us to check in at 6 am, which was a huge help.
Yesterday we walked all over Paris from the Louvre to Sacre Couer. We get French friends and had a wonderful lunch as a classic Paris restaurant (Le Grand Colbert). Best escargot I have ever had. Wonderful wines, of course. I am of course looking diligently for blogging material, but M.E.D. will have to carry the ball.
Thanks again to our guest bloggers. This experiment has already been an amazing success from what I can see.
My nurse sister-in-law once explained to me, when the AIDS epidemic was new and not understood yet, that dense populations can produce a new disease, through mutation, that is viable and easily spread. If true, it could have started in any country and finding such a willing host, spread rapidly and still be successful to this day.
Ebola, on the other hand, is so virulent it kills off any host too soon to spread very far. If it ever mutates to a less virulent state, it could become the new Black Plague.
I bow to the majesty that are the comments of FFLeo. That video is superb.
Mespo,
I have a question for you: Did syphilis discover Columbus? Inquiring minds want to know.
Mespo,
You make it natural to follow your lead and then spin off comments from the other good, witty folks here. This is an entertaining, intelligent group with whom I am privileged to occupy the same forum.
I roundly agree with Professor Turley that the “3-MED” group is a rousing success; however, we all anticipate his swift return, while we are pleased that he gets a respite from his daily blawg reporting.
Thanks to each one of the “MED’s” 3 scribes for assisting him.
FFLeo:
Thanks, my friend. I’m like the cartoon at the end of the first movie — just killing time until the second feature starts.
I was torn on the title to this one. I almost called it “The Myth of Syphilis,” alluding to my favorite Camus work, but just couldn’t do it.
Thanks for a bit of History….