title: Hallmarks in history of syphilis therapeutics.
abstract: At the end of the 15th century syphilis appeared in Europe as a devastating epidemic. For nearly four centuries mercury was regarded as a remedy of first-rate importance along with guaiac and potassium iodide. In the early 20th century, two new substances were added to syphilis therapeutics, namely arsenobenzol and bismuth. The absence of treponemal serum tests and the erroneous attribution of the positive Wassermann reaction exclusively to Treponema pallidum infection resulted in prolonged and non-proven effective treatments. In 1943 John Mahoney introduced penicillin, revolutionizing the treatment of syphilis.
authors: History of Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Athens; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, West Attica General Hospital St. Barbara, Athens, Greece.
authors: Marianna
authors: M
authors: Karamanou
authors: History of Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Athens; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, West Attica General Hospital St. Barbara, Athens, Greece.
authors: Kyriakos
authors: K
authors: Kyriakis
authors: History of Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Athens; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, West Attica General Hospital St. Barbara, Athens, Greece.
authors: Gregory
authors: G
authors: Tsoucalas
authors: History of Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Athens; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, West Attica General Hospital St. Barbara, Athens, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Androutsos
mesh_terms: D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D013587:Syphilis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000266:history*