Girolamo Fracastoro (Italy)

The Stamp

The stamp was issued in Italy on the occasion of the International Medical Congress held in Verona from the 1 to 4 September 1955.

The Doctor

Girolamo Fracastoro (1476/8 - 1553) was an Italian doctor and poet.

He was born in Verona, but trained in Padua where he later became a Professor.

Urology Connections

In 1530, he wrote an epic poem called, “Syphilis sive morbus gallicus” ("Syphilis or The French Disease"), about a shepherd boy named Syphilus who insulted the Greek god Apollo and was punished with a horrible disease.

The disease subsequently became known as syphilis. The poem also suggests using mercury and "guaiaco" as a cure.

Read more about the poem

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