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The Colour of Disease

Syphilis and Racism in South Africa, 1880-1950

  • Book
  • © 2001

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Authors:
  1. Karen Jochelson
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Part of the book series: St Antony's Series (STANTS)

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
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  2. Introduction

    • Karen Jochelson
    Pages 1-9

  3. Tracking Down the Treponema, 1880–1910

    • Karen Jochelson
    Pages 10-33

  4. From Paupers to Pass Laws: Control of VD in the Cape and Transvaal, 1880–1910

    • Karen Jochelson
    Pages 34-53

  5. VD and the ‘Poor White’ Problem in the 1920s and 1930s

    • Karen Jochelson
    Pages 54-76

  6. VD Treatment and Educational Propaganda for Whites, 1910–1930s

    • Karen Jochelson
    Pages 77-92

  7. Migrancy, Prostitution and VD, 1920–50

    • Karen Jochelson
    Pages 93-110

  8. Moral Tribes and Corrupting Cities: VD and the ‘Native Question’, 1920–50

    • Karen Jochelson
    Pages 111-140

  9. VD Treatment and Educational Propaganda for Africans, 1910–50

    • Karen Jochelson
    Pages 141-162

  10. Conclusion

    • Karen Jochelson
    Pages 163-177

  11. Back Matter

    Pages 178-248
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Keywords

About this book

Today AIDS dominates the headlines. A century ago it was fears of syphilis epidemics. This book looks at how the spread of syphilis was linked to socio-economic transformation land dispossession, migrancy and urbanisation disrupted social networks - factors similarly important in the AIDS crisis. Medical explanations of syphilis and state medical policy, however, were shaped by contemporary beliefs about race. Doctors drew on ideas from social Darwinism, eugenics, and social anthropology to explain the incidence of syphilis among poor whites and Africans, especially women, and to help define 'normal' and abnormal sexual behaviour for racial groups.

Reviews

'This is an innovative study in social and medical history. Following Randall Packard's book on tuberculosis, it is a pioneering analysis of a single disease and its ramification in the country's history. Understanding both the incidence, and treatment, of syphilis in South Africa demands attention to migrant labour, the development of medical services, prostitution and racial ideas. The approach adopted is also an excellent foundation for an analysis of the contemporary epidemic of AIDS which threatens to ravage the sub-continent. The final chapter makes such linkages explicit.' - William Beinart, Professor of Race Relations, University of Oxford

About the author

KAREN JOCHELSON taught at the University of York, and then held a Wellcome research fellowship at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London. Since completing an MBA at the London Business School she has consulted to business on sustainable development, human rights, biotechnology and stakeholder relations.

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