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Author McGough, Laura J., 1964-

Title Gender, sexuality, and syphilis in early modern Venice the disease that came to stay / Laura J. McGough
Published Basingstoke [England] ; New York, NY : Palgrave Macmillan, 2010
London : Palgrave Macmillan UK : Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010
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Description 1 online resource (x, 202 pages) : illustrations
Series Early modern history (Palgrave Macmillan (Firm))
Contents A network of lovers : sexuality and disease patterns in early modern Venice -- The suspected culprits : dangerously beautiful prostitutes and debauched men -- Stigma reinforced : the problem of incurable cases of a curable disease -- Gender and institutions : hospitals and female asylums
Summary This provocative book questions the assumption that syphilis (the 'French disease') became widespread in Venice because of its legendary courtesans. Using new evidence, Laura McGough reconstructs the city's sexual networks, revealing a society where sexual relations linked people of different classes, neighbourhoods and occupations. Venice's restrictive marriage customs, its role as a centre of migration, and fears of male sexual impotence brought about a sexual culture that fostered the spread of disease. To prevent the spread of disease, Venetian authorities focused on a single target: beautiful young women and girls, who were encouraged to enter walled asylums to protect their chastity. Both medical authorities and the public believed this 'routine disease' could be treated and cured: only cases that did not respond to treatment aroused suspicions that the illness was caused by witchcraft. Gender, Sexuality and Syphilis in Early Modern Venice thereby explores the medical, social, and cultural transitions that occur as a disease comes to be regarded as routine and widespread
Notes Description based upon print version of record
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 153-198) and index
Notes English
Print version record
Subject Syphilis -- France -- History
Sexual Behavior -- France -- History
Syphilis -- history -- Italy
History, Early Modern 1451-1600 -- Italy
Sexual Behavior -- history -- Italy
Syphilis -- epidemiology -- Italy
Syphilis -- Italy -- Venice -- History -- 16th century
Syphilis -- Italy -- Venice -- History -- 17th century
Sex -- Italy -- Venice -- History -- 16th century
Sex -- Italy -- Venice -- History -- 17th century
Sex role -- Italy -- Venice -- History -- 16th century
Sex role -- Italy -- Venice -- History -- 17th century
Syphilis -- Italy -- History
Europe -- History
Clinical psychology
Sexual Behavior -- Italy -- History
History, Modern 1601- -- France
Civilization -- History
History
Social history
Psychology, clinical
Syphilis -- history -- France
History, Early Modern 1451-1600 -- France
History, Modern 1601- -- Italy
Sexual Behavior -- history -- France
Syphilis -- epidemiology -- France
History, Modern
Italy -- History
SUBJECT France
Genre/Form History.
Form Electronic book
Author Palgrave Connect (Online Service)
LC no. 2010042403
ISBN 9780230298071 (electronic bk.)
0230298079 (electronic bk.)