Pox: Genius, Madness, and Mysteries of Syphilis

This is a brilliant analysis of the course of a debilitating disease and its influence on its sufferers and, in some cases, world history. By correcting the ignorance of science and medicine (to say nothing of rational thought) that plagues much historical writing and literary criticism, this book illuminates aspects of the acts and works of many pre-penicillin "celebrities".More significant, however, is what this book implies in terms of public affairs in the current day. One must ask if there are major public figures in this age of modern medicine whose bizarre behavior may be the product of undetected and untreated syphilitic disease. The author herself places such figures as Joseph Stalin and Idi Amin in this category, but what of Pol Pot, Mao Tse Tung, and Saddam Hussein, to name a few? How many tyrants and madmen of the recent past and present are affected by neurosyphlis? How many will flame forth to scar the world in the future?The book ends with the application of penicillin; however, if primary and secondary syphilis are not appropriately treated (and in some cases, even when they are) there intervenes a long period of smoldering dormancy in which the disease cannot reliably be detected serologically (by Wasserman and more modern tests). The idea that a major political figure could today be a long-term syphilitic is entirely possible, especially given the lack of education modern physicians from all nations receive in the diagnosis and management of the long-term characteristics of the disease.Think about it...And read the book.

In POX, Deborah Hayden presents the most thoroughly researched, best balanced, most lucid and convincing account of luminary syphilitic devastation that I recall reading during a half-century career in epidemiology. Hayden's incisive historical examination of the powerful role of syphilis in shaping the lives and works of fifteen pre-penicillin lminaries, points the need and way for analogous examination of thousands of other historical events and figures actually scourged by syphilis; but which -- without the syphilis key -- have remained largely inexplicable.To the American syphilis casualty list of historic figures has been added the tragic death of Meriwether Lewis, whose suicide on the Natchez Trace in 1809, because of paresis and looming madness due to syphilis acquired in the line of duty on a dangerous mission for his President and country, was an act of ultimate courage, shielding himself, other Expedition principals and family from syphilitic disgrace (Epidemiology May 1994). Many analagous historical enigmas await the research of talented researchers like Deborah Hayden, to lift the veil of time and acquaint current generations with the horrific depredations of syphilis before penicillin.

This is the best book I have read this year, and probably the best book I have read in five years. Not only is the information critical for understanding a number of historical personages, but Hayden's writing is stimulating. Her words work their way through your system the same compelling way syphilis worked its way through such a huge portion of the population until the development of penicillin. That is, her message can't be ignored. The need for society to put syphilis in the closet is surely as strong a statement as the impact of the infection itself on genius, madness, and creativity. Given its unusual subject matter, this is a detective book that is hard to put down once you start it.

This fascinating book combines social history and medical mystery. Hayden presents an abundance of evidence that some of the great thinkers and creators of Western Civilization (and Hitler, too) had syphilis. Yet, she never forces her point of view. One wonders how this terrible disease (and she demonstrates how debilitating it really was)changed the history of the world. Intriguing.

I just happened to see this book in the store as I was walking through but I stayed up all night reading it. It discusses the mostly hidden impact of syphillis on a number of famous individuals and through them, and with them, the world. There have been other attempts of this sort, but I've never picked up one so compulsively readable. It reminded me of the fact that except for the brief period between World War Two and the advent of AIDS, sex has always been tied into a tight knot with death. Anyone interested in history or disease, should read this.