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Gonorrheal Infections

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Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Practice ((CCP))

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Abstract

Gonorrhea was one of the most recognized medical conditions in ancient times. It was described in Chinese writings dating 2500 years ago, in the Papyrus of Ebers, and by Hippocrates. It was named by Galen in 130 ad, who confused the purulent discharge seen with its urethritis for semen and named it “gonorrhea” for “flow of seed.” Its more commonname, “clap,” derives from the Middle French word “clapoir” for “bubo.” Understanding of its unique etiology and its impact on women occurred only in the recent times. Historically, Neisseria gonorrhoeae was the second bacterial pathogen ever identified.

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© 2006 Humana Press Inc.,Totowa NJ

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Nelson, A.L. (2006). Gonorrheal Infections. In: Nelson, A.L., Woodward, J., Wysocki, S. (eds) Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Current Clinical Practice. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-040-9_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-040-9_7

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-570-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-040-9

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