POX: Genius, Madness, and the Mysteries of Syphilis

Excerpt from Flaubert chapter:

His list of complaints included: stomach cramps, intestinal discomfort, extreme nervousness, rheumatism (potassium bromide prescribed), a skin reaction that made him look like a leper, numerous rashes and boils as big as hens’ eggs all over his body, a recurrent cough, severe pains in the back of his head, insomnia, chronic headaches, and lumbago.

In August 1854 Flaubert told Louis Bouilhet that he planned to consult the famous Philippe Ricord, although he apparently never did. He was receiving treatment with mercury and iodide for a syphilitic tumor, or gumma. His notation “terrific mercurial salivation” refers to an aggressive treatment with mercury; three pints of saliva was considered a good amount to gush forth with such a regimen. Flaubert’s description of his treatment is one of the most graphic:

Laxatives, purges, derivations, leeches, fever, colic, three sleepless nights—gigantic nuisance—such has been my week, cher monsieur. I have eaten nothing since Saturday night, and only now am I beginning to be able to speak. To put it briefly, Saturday night my tongue suddenly began to swell until I thought it was transmuting itself into that of an ox. It protruded from my mouth: I had to hold my jaws open. I suffered, I can tell you. But since yesterday I am better, thanks to leeches and ice. . . . For a week I was hideously sick. Terrific mercurial salivation, mon cher monsieur; it was impossible for me to talk or eat—atrocious fever, etc. Finally I am rid of it, thanks to purges, leeches, enemas (!!!), and my ‘strong constitution.’ I wouldn’t be surprised if my tumor were to disappear, following this inflammation; it has already diminished by half. Anyway . . . I won’t go to consult the great Ricord for another six weeks. Meanwhile I’ll keep stuffing myself with iodide.