Syphilis is quite sinister, has periods of remission when before blood tests people thought they were cured.
Can be transmitted to babies , they have a characteristic copper coloured rash and hoarse cry when born.
Very prevalent and some of the cemeteries uncovered in the Rail Track excavations were dedicated to young women who earned their living as prostitutes,easily recognisable as theur skeletal remains showed the decalcification of bones etc.
Lord Randolph Churchill ( Sir Winston’s father)was supposedly a victim ,but was still a Cabinet Minister.
Paralysis of the Insane was the given cause of death in many sufferers.
Folk songs mention it in a round about way
“ But the sailor gave to me a rose,
A rose that never will decay ,
He gave it to me ,to keep me well minded
Of when he stole my thyme (time?) away.
The rose being the bright red chancre ,the typical mark of Syphilis.
Hey nonnny no!
Cheerio,
Viktoria.
