70 AxNTIQUITlES IN TENNESSEE. 



in most countries in Europe Avitli such alarming symptoms as to render it necessary 

 for the civil magistrate to interfere in order to check its course." Vol. ii, p. 379. 



We have not considered it necessary to discuss the relations of syphilis with 

 tlie elephantiasis of the Greeks or the leprosy of the Arabians, on the one- hand, 

 or with the yaios of Africa on the other, as they are clearly distinct diseases in 

 their origin, history, symptoms, and mode .of propagation ; neither have we thought 

 it necessary to examine critically in this place the various ulcers of the organs of 

 generation described by Hippocrates, Pliny, and the older writers, since it is now 

 clearly established that there are two well-marked varieties of venereal ulcers, one 

 of which, known from time immemorial, is local in its character and without con- 

 stitutional symptoms and effects; nor have we deemed it important to corroborate 

 the preceding testimony by the arguments of such learned writers as Fracastorius,^ 

 Astruc,^ Harvey,^ and others ; but have viewed the question of the origin of syphilis 

 as resting mainly on the testimony of such authors as Oviedo and Sloan, wlio enjoyed 

 opportunities of personal observation and research in the West Indies, Avhere the 

 disease is said to have been first contracted by Europeans. The question as to 

 whether the natives of the North and South American Continent were afflicted 

 with syphilis at the time of thei-r discovery and exploration by the Europeans is 

 involved in doubt and obscurity. The existence of the disease in the crowded 

 West India Islands did not necessitate its existence on the continent. 



After a careful examination of the accounts of the explorations and conquests 

 of the early Spanish adventurers, we have failed to gather any testimony to substan- 

 tiate the view that the disease existed also upon the continent. 



AH the earlier voyagers and explorers unite in describing the natives of America 

 as remarkable for the perfection of their persons and limbs, and their absolute 

 freedom from all deformities, ulcers, and blemishes. 



The division of the North American Indians into numerous tribes and nations 

 hostile to each other, the necessity of constant activity and change of location 

 imposed by their mode of life, by the chase, and by the incessant wars in which 

 they were engaged, and the comparative sparseness of the population, Avere evi- 

 dently unfavorable to the spread of syphilis. 



John Lawson^ appears to have been the first author who asserted that this disease 

 was peculiar or indigenous to the North American Indians. His observations were 

 made about two hundred and eighty years after the discovery of the West Indies 

 by Columbus, and the repeated contraction of syphilis by Europeans. During this 

 time the most extensive intercourse had been carried on between Europe and 

 America, and ample time had elapsed for ths communication of this disease to the 

 North American Indians, and also for the growth of the belief amongst these people 

 who were without any written records, that the disease was peculiar to their race. 



' Hieronymi Fracastorii Veron Liber Unus de Sympatliia et Antipathia reru item de Conta- 

 gione, etc., 1554. 



' A Treatise on Venereal Diseases, in nine Books, etc., by John Astruc. London, 1754. 



^ Venus Unniaslied ; or, A more exact Discovery of the Venereal Evil or French Disease, etc., 

 by Gideon Harvey, 16(;5. 



* A New Voyage to Carolina, etc. London, 1109, pp. 18-19. 



