News: Columbus brought syphillis to Europe

[dracodraconis]

Syphilis is a relatively recent illness in Europe so the question has often arisen as to where it came from. Recent research seems to lend more weight to a theory that the disease came to Europe with Columbus. Found on "Aetiology, courtesy of ScienceBlogs

Comments

[ziggy-b.livejournal.com]

An exchange of sorts. Syphilis for mumps. I don't know who got the worse deal.

[ziggy-b.livejournal.com]

Sorry, maybe it was measles? I'm too tired to think right now...

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

Measles, smallpox, influenza, whooping cough... it wasn't exactly an even trade; they still got the worst of it.

[ziggy-b.livejournal.com]

I'm still up... which I really shouldn't be but I'm stuck to my email...

Anyway, would Coralie and/or you like to get together tomorrow? I'm leaving for Halifax early on Sunday so at the very least would be good to know if there's something specific you'd like from my travels (salmon? fish cakes?)

[ms-danson.livejournal.com]

It would have to be earlier in the day since we have a birthday party to go to in Kanata in the evening (and there is a game so we may have traffic issues).

[ziggy-b.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. I have nothing planned... so? Tea? Lunch? Breakfast? Up to you!

[ms-danson.livejournal.com]

Breakfast? You up? I'm going to call you soon,

[ancalagon-tb.livejournal.com]

One COULD read that title as he brought it himself ;)

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

Mind you, saying that it came over with Columbus doesn't mean that he, personally, was carrying the virus, but that it likely came over on his ship, or another ship from just after the time of his "discovery" of America.

[montesqusmith.livejournal.com]

Potatoes for nibbles,a hareem of wives from across foreign waters, and rolling tobacco for post carnal shinnanigans.

He was bound to get his comeuppance :)

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

Just think of it as his making sure Europe experienced EVERYTHING he experienced.