Buzz
Throughout history, certain vivid images are often associated with diseases: a doomed heroine spitting blood into a snow-white handkerchief, pirates with wooden legs battling scurvy, bodies piled high on carts as children sing “Ring Around the Rosie,” and elderly men in bed, their heads wrapped in bandages and bodies adorned with leeches. What terms come to mind? “The plague?” “Consumption?” “Dropsy?” But what exactly were these illnesses, and where did they go?
Thanks to technological progress, some ancient diseases have been completely eradicated. For instance, on May 8, 1980, the 33rd World Health Assembly declared smallpox eradicated globally. Diseases like polio have also seen a dramatic decline, with cases dropping over 99 percent between 1998 and 2013. Today, 80 percent of the global population resides in regions deemed “polio-free” by the CDC. However, some diseases persist, continuing to afflict humanity, albeit under new names compared to their historical counterparts.
10. Then: ConsumptionNow: Tuberculosis
In 2016, the United States recorded its lowest number of TB cases in history. Globally, however, it remains a leading cause of death, with over 95 percent of cases occurring in developing nations. While tuberculosis is infamous for causing a bloody cough, the term “consumption” refers to the severe weight loss and the way the disease seems to “consume” its victims. The term “consumption,” or its ancient Greek equivalent, dates back to around 460 BC in the works of Hippocrates, the namesake of the Hippocratic oath.
The term “tuber” might remind you of potatoes, and it’s understandable if you don’t immediately link it to tuberculosis. However, the Latin word tuber, meaning “lump” or “swelling,” is used to describe both plant structures and this well-known disease, as it causes small, hard nodules on affected organs like the lungs. While TB has existed since ancient times, the term “tuberculosis” was coined only in 1860.
9. Then: The Black DeathNow: Bubonic Plague
The Black Death is one of the most notorious diseases in history. Estimates of its death toll vary, with some suggesting as many as 200 million lives lost in the 14th century alone. Horrifying tales of the Black Death persist, including an Italian writer’s description of human bodies stacked like layers of lasagna, separated by thin sheets of soil. Although it was called the Black Death, people at the time were unaware it was caused by bacteria transmitted by black rats and their fleas. Unlike brown or gray rats, black rats thrive near humans, and their fleas sought new hosts after the rats perished.
Today, this disease is referred to as bubonic plague, named after the swollen lymph nodes, or “buboes,” that appear in the groin, armpit, or neck as a hallmark of infection. Despite its medieval reputation, the World Health Organization reported 320 cases of bubonic plague globally in 2015, leading to 77 deaths.
8. Then: HysteriaNow: Any Number Of Things
Today, the term “hysterical” is commonly used to describe something hilarious, though its original meaning referred to being “uncontrollably emotional.” The word traces back to the Latin hystera, meaning “womb,” which also gives us “hysterectomy,” the surgical removal of the uterus. But why would a term for the uterus evolve into a descriptor for extreme emotional turmoil?
Historically, hysteria was considered a condition exclusive to women, rooted in the belief of female inferiority. This notion originated in ancient Egypt and persisted across cultures for millennia. Any unexplained ailment in women was attributed to “hysteria.” Some explanations were pseudo-scientific, like Hippocrates’ theory that the uterus wandered the body, causing chaos. Others blamed witchcraft or demonic possession. Interestingly, orgasms were prescribed as a cure, a practice that eventually led to the invention of the modern vibrator.
7. Then: The Falling SicknessNow: Epilepsy
In history, “the falling sickness,” a term used in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, was one of the gentler names for what we now call epilepsy. Like hysteria, it was often linked to darker causes, such as madness, witchcraft, or demonic influence. In ancient times, it was also called “the sacred disease,” not because it was revered, but because it was seen as supernatural—a curse from an angry deity or evil spirit. However, as early as 400 BC, the Greek text On the Sacred Disease argued that epilepsy had natural, not divine, origins.
The modern term for this condition derives from the Greek word epilambanem, meaning “to seize or take hold of.” While witnessing or experiencing a seizure can be terrifying, most people now understand that seizures result from sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain, rather than supernatural forces like witchcraft or demonic influence.
6. Then: The ClapNow: Gonorrhea
Let’s address this directly. Many are familiar with the grim tale behind the term “the clap” for gonorrhea. (If you’re sensitive, you might want to skip this part.) One theory suggests it refers to an old treatment involving “clapping” the penis between hard surfaces to force discharge from the urethra. While this is just one explanation, others are less disturbing. Some believe it stems from the French word clapier, meaning brothel, or the Old English “clappan,” which means “to throb.”
The term “gonorrhea,” however, has a far less colorful origin. It comes from the Greek roots “gono-” (related to reproduction, as in “gonad”) and “-rrhea” (meaning flow or discharge). Though unpleasant, gonorrhea is both preventable and treatable. However, the rise of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea poses a significant public health challenge.
5. Then: DropsyNow: Edema
The exact origin of the word “dropsy” remains unclear, but it is believed to derive from the Middle English “dropesie,” which traces back to the Greek hydrops. While “dropsy” might evoke thoughts of clumsiness or fainting, the focus is on the “hydro” part, referring to swelling caused by fluid retention. This condition is now more accurately described by the modern term “edema,” which also has Greek roots.
Edema is a complex condition to summarize briefly, as it can occur for various reasons and in different parts of the body. It can range from the swelling caused by a mosquito bite to more serious indications like congestive heart failure or head trauma. Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause.
4. Then: VariousNow: Syphilis
Syphilis has been known by numerous names throughout history, often reflecting regional blame. Russians called it “the Polish disease,” Poles referred to it as “the German disease,” and the Portuguese labeled it “the Spanish disease.” In the infamous and unethical “Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male,” the US Public Health Service misled 600 African American men by claiming they were being treated for “bad blood,” while in reality, no treatment was provided.
Interestingly, the term “syphilis” isn’t significantly more scientific than its historical counterparts. It originates from a 1530 epic poem about a mythical shepherd cursed with the disease by an angry deity. The true origin of syphilis remains a mystery. What is known is that it’s a sexually transmitted infection starting with painless sores. Without treatment, it can escalate to severe complications like neurosyphilis and ocular syphilis, leading to headaches, paralysis, dementia, and blindness. Fortunately, syphilis can be prevented with condoms and treated with antibiotics, though its early detection is challenging due to the painless sores that vanish as the disease progresses.
3. Then: ApoplexyNow: Stroke
Hippocrates, once again, plays a pivotal role, as he identified strokes over 2,400 years ago, using the term “apoplexy,” meaning “struck down by violence.” (Today, “apoplectic” also describes extreme anger.) The link between the Greek root and the modern term is clear: being “struck” aligns with having a stroke.
Today, “stroke” is the common term, though alternatives like “cerebrovascular accident” exist, though its use is discouraged for implying inevitability. “Brain attack” is preferred by some, emphasizing urgency akin to a heart attack. A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, causing brain cell death, making immediate treatment essential.
2. Then: Shell ShockNow: PTSD
PTSD, or posttraumatic stress disorder, is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to death, serious injury, sexual violence, or the threat of such events. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition, it can even arise from indirect exposure, such as learning about a traumatic event experienced by a close relative or repeated exposure to distressing details, as seen in professionals handling cases of child abuse. Symptoms include intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of trauma-related triggers, negative emotions, hypervigilance, and sometimes aggressive or self-destructive behaviors.
PTSD is often linked to combat trauma, and earlier terminology like “shell shock” focused primarily on physical symptoms such as tremors, fatigue, and sensory disturbances. The term “shell shock” originally referred to the impact of explosive projectiles, with “shock” describing the lasting effects on those exposed. Initially thought to result from blast-induced brain injury, researchers later observed similar symptoms in soldiers not exposed to explosions, attributing them to the psychological toll of war.
1. Then: GRIDNow: HIV/AIDS
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is the newest disease on this list and was poorly understood when first identified. Its name reflects its impact on the human immune system. In 1982, The New York Times published an article on “gay-related immunodeficiency” (GRID), highlighting concerns about its prevalence among gay men. However, the article also noted cases among heterosexual individuals, particularly intravenous drug users. Despite this, the term GRID was used due to the disease’s initial association with the gay community.
The term “GRID” was quickly replaced. In the same year, the CDC adopted the more precise term “AIDS,” which now describes the most severe stage of HIV infection. Individuals who are infected but haven’t progressed to AIDS are diagnosed with HIV, a term introduced by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses in 1986.
