1999 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
A CULTURAL HISTORY OF VENEREAL DISEASES
| Project/Area Number |
09672299
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Medical sociology
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| Research Institution | Nagoya University |
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Principal Investigator |
FUKUDA Mahito Nagoya Univ., Graduate School of Languages & Cultures, Professor, 国際言語文化研究科, 教授 (90208968)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1997 – 1999
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| Keywords | Venereal Disease / Cultural History / Syphilis / AIDS |
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| Research Abstract |
The main purpose of this research is to trace the cultural history of venereal diseases (now commonly called as Sexually Transmitted Disease, STD) such as syphilis and AIDS.
With regard to syphilis, it has been widely believed to originate in the New World, namely America, and to have been carried to the Old world by the crews of Columbus. This Columbian theory is analyzed and some other theory is also introduced.
From the viewpoint of cultural history, it is also of interest to analyze what sort of social and cultural images it has been associated with since the 15th century in the West as well as in the East. Today syphilis and AIDS are both bitterly abhored by the many, whereas in the Renaissance era, for instance, people conceived rather romantic ideas regarding syphilis. Even in Japan, before the opening of the door to the West, they had no specific nor negative images toward it.
After the advent of hygienic prevention or prophylaxis, medical examination became very common especially among the prostitutes in order to secure the mass. This trend was also introduced into Japan by the military service stationed in several ports.
The analysis of cultural images and attitudes toward STD are so important as to solve the problems.
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