Went back to and re-read an old college textbook:
The Columbian Exchange: Biological and Cultural Consequences of 1492, by Alfred W. Crosby, Jr. On pages 208 and 209, Crosby writes, “The most important pathological organism that America ever exported is probably
Treponema pallidum [syphilis]. It has spread everywhere since the fifteenth century, and the wounds it inflicts upon society suppurate beneath the cosmetic of hypocrisy” (208-209, Crosby). Chapter Six (pp. 122-164) entitled, “The Early History of Syphilis: A Reappraisal”, is devoted entirely to recounting the introduction of syphilis into the Old World by crewmembers from Columbus’ initial, historic, transoceanic voyage. Crosby then uses contemporary reports, dating from 1493 onward, to trace the spread of syphilis from Barcelona, Spain, throughout the rest of Europe.
Crosby recounts how Europe was in the throes of dynastic struggles. Hence, according to Crosby, as French and Spanish armies marched to and fro to battle in Europe, they carried with them and spread the “new pox” of their age. Great mortality was noted and ascribed to the “new pox”.
This book was published in 1972, so it appeared that PBS’ newer information, circa 2000 and cited at post # , about the Augustinian friary in Kingston upon Hull superseded Crosby’s findings. However, upon further investigation, the original findings at the Augustinian friary in Kingston upon Hull are now also suspect after a study in 2008, so it appears Crosby’s book and findings are still valid and relevant.
Columbus did bring syphilis from America
By Roger Highfield, Science Editor, 1:00AM GMT: 15 Jan 2008
“. . . after studying these remains and using genetic evidence from the bacteria that cause syphilis and related diseases, Kristin Harper of Emory University has done a groundbreaking study that provides new support for the Columbus theory of syphilis's origin. . . .
“Harper was backed by colleagues from Emory, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the University of Toronto, the Lakeridge Health Centre, Ontario and the University of Oxford. . . .
“‘Syphilis was a major killer in Europe during the Renaissance,’ says Prof George Armelagos, an Emory colleague of Harper whose research put him at the forefront of the syphilis debate 20 years ago. . . .
“Most of the evidence in recent years has come from bones of past civilizations in both New World and Old World sites, since chronic syphilis causes damage. ‘I actually got the chance to travel to England and look at the Hull skeletons,’ Harper says.
“‘One skeleton, 1216, did look a lot like treponemal disease - however, it didn't have the lesions (called caries sicca, found on the skull) that would have made it diagnostic beyond a doubt. Even so, I think it is likely that this one individual represents a case of treponemal disease.’
“But, she adds, ‘the big problem with the Hull site is the dating so none of the individuals studied (including skeleton 1216) can be reliably dated to before 1495. Until the Hull researchers can demonstrate that their dating is solid, I think their claim to syphilitic fame is suspect.’”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/s...m-America.html
All of that, and still not one mention of 'sheep', Ekim the Inbred.