Thus, in some works of the 13th century, artists staged figures with a deformed nose to represent depraved beings, such as those who tormented Christ. This type of deformity is a known symptom of syphilis since the bacteria attacks the bones of the face in particular, underlines the historian.
historical figures
Manuscripts from the time also helped her identify historical figures who may have suffered from syphilis. This is probably the case of King Edward IV of England, who died in 1483.
A chronicler of the time mentions that he would have died of an unknown disease which was difficult to treat even in people with a lower status. The people and the aristocracy are not affected in the same way.
According to the historian, the only disease corresponding to this description would be syphilis, since the bacterium which is responsible for it, Treponema palecauses different disorders depending on the mode of transmission.
For example, when transmitted by direct contact with lesions, it causes bejeel and the soonespecially among children from rural backgrounds.