About venereal diseases (II)

The article discusses the historical context of syphilis before modern medicine, highlighting its chronic progression and severe effects on health. It notes that syphilis was primarily transmitted sexually and could persist for decades, leading to serious complications, including neurological disorders. In Portugal, a significant percentage of patients in asylums suffered from syphilitic dementia, reflecting a public health crisis exacerbated by widespread illiteracy. The establishment of the first venereology clinic in Lisbon in 1897 marked a significant step in addressing the issue. The introduction of Salvarsan in 1907 brought hope for treatment, later replaced by penicillin after World War II, which provided a definitive cure.