The Syphilis Explosion of the American Civil War

<p>It's been estimated that between eight and twelve percent of soldiers contracted a venereal disease during the American Civil War. What on earth were they up to?</p><br><p>Kathryn Olivarius is a Professor at Stanford. She joins Kate to discuss syphilis, why it spread so far during the war and how it's impact continued after the war ended.</p><br><p>Kathryn is the author of 'Necropolis: Disease, Power, and Capitalism in the Cotton Kingdom'.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. The producer was Sophie Gee. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.</p><br><p>Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="historyhit.com/subscribe"; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>historyhit.com/subscribe</u></a>;. </p><br><p>All music from Epidemic Sounds.</p><br><p>Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.</p><p>Voting is now open for the Listener's Choice Award at this year's Podcast Awards! UK & Ireland listeners please place your vote on the Spotify mobile app here: <a href="open.spotify.com/s/xhg6PJa"; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">open.spotify.com/s/xhg6PJa</a></p>;

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