The Role of Syphilis in the Establishment of the Specialty of Dermatology
Abstract
While today the term “dermatologist” may conjure up images of celebrities and Botox, the field's early history is much less glamorous. In fact, venereal diseases, especially syphilis, figure prominently in the field's development as distinct from general medicine. Although the discussion of venereal disease was considered clandestine, the public health risks of syphilis in the late 1800s demanded attention. Dermatologists rose to the task of caring for these underserved...