ha, ha syphilis
For centuries, most doctors believed syphilis and gonorrhea to be two types of the same disease. But a French doctor in 1837 discovered the uniqueness of syphilis and later went on to describe the three stages. Syphilis was treated with mercury, either orally, in vapor baths or topically. These doses of the heavy metal probably reached lethal rates. By the early 20th century, mental institutions were filled with patients whose illness could be traced to syphilis. Syphilis does not discriminate. Famous people who have had syphilis include King Henry VIII, Napoleon, John Keats, Vincent Van Gogh and Al Capone.