There's still a debate about syphilis. It was not diagnosed in Europe until after Columbus' return, and writers at the time believed it came from the New World. There's clear evidence in bones that it existed in the Americas for hundreds of years before Columbus. There are some bones from one European location that may have indications of syphilis, but this is hotly debated. There are earlier descriptions of symptoms that some scholars attribute to syphilis and others to leprosy. What is indisputable is that the wave of syphilis in Europe after Columbus was much more virulent than any previous similar disease, but became less devastating after several generations. So the odds are that if Columbus did not bring the first syphilis to Europe, he at least brought a much worse strain.
(Okay, I'm a disease geek. Don't get me started on the Plague.)
images of fall. these made me smile:
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Okay, I'm a disease geek.
I find this charming.
And it's nice not to be the only one.
There's a The Counter in the Miami airport. Rare burger with cranberries and plantains is delicious.
Now I need to kill time without thinking. Grrrr.
(Okay, I'm a disease geek. Don't get me started on the Plague.)
That reminds me that I really should read my copy of Gina Kolata's Flu, about the 1918 Influenza. It's shelved right next to Laurie Garrett's The Coming Plague.
Yes, I'm a disease geek, too!
Pretty pictures. I love Fall. It's my favorite.
I've never heard of The Counter, but I think I approve of their burger offerings already.
I need to work for the next three hours straight, except for the occasional b.org sanity break.
I did my term paper for my British history class on the economic impact of the Black Death on medieval England--that's what got me started on the subject.
That, and my professor's notorious Rat Lecture which he gave every semester throughout his career. Since I had him for both History 101 and the Brit History class, I got to hear it twice. He went into detail about the rats he saw in the sewers of Milan that were the size of Maine Coon cats. Ugh.
I've heard - semi-jokingly - that syphilis was originally a disease of sheep.
Was back at the dentist today. For my planing and scaling. Before hand I took a lorazapam and during I blasted my iPod. Now that it is over, I can very honestly say it was much, much, much easier than I expected. I was in and out in an hour. My mouth doesn't hurt. And the hygenist complimented me on the progress I have made over the last week in improving my gum health.
I put in extra time yesterday, working 12 hours, and got up early today to get in 6 hours before the appointment so I could take the afternoon off, guilt free - figuing I'd be in misery. Now I have the afternoon off and I feel just dandy.
