logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2018
3m 8s

What Was The Great Pox?

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

You've heard of smallpox, but what was the great pox? And did Shakespeare have it? Learn about the spread of (spoiler alert) syphilis in this episode of BrainStuff.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Feb 1
BrainStuff Classics: What Was the Emu War?
Following World War II, Austrialia became embroiled in another war -- with a population of emu. Learn how the Emu War unfolded in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/ridiculous-history-emu-war.htmSee omnystudio.co ... Show More
6m 49s
Jan 31
BrainStuff Classics: Do Truly Unselfish Acts Really Exist?
Neurologists and philosophers alike may argue that altruism doesn't exist because no act is ever completely unselfish. Learn why -- and why humans may have evolved this way -- in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/evolutio ... Show More
7m 41s
Jan 28
How Is Forest Lawn Memorial Park the 'Disneyland of Cemeteries'?
Just outside Los Angeles, Forest Lawn Memorial Park is the resting place of many celebrities -- and also home to art, architecture, and celebrations of life. Learn about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/f ... Show More
7m 17s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2021
The Eradication of Smallpox
Smallpox is a viral disease that has existed for millennia. But it’s now one of only two diseases that’s been eradicated through human activity, and a global plan was enacted to do it. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/list ... Show More
45m 34s
Aug 2014
Syphilis: The Great Imitator
<p>Doctors have called it the great imitator because this destructive venereal disease can manifest almost any symptom. Initially spreading through sexual contact, Syphilis can remain dormant in the body for decades before flaring up again in brutally disfiguring, debilitating an ... Show More
26m 11s
Aug 2022
What is Monkeypox? With Dr. Anne Rimoin
<p>What is Monkeypox? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice learn essential information about the history of monkeypox, how it’s spread and how people can prevent themselves from getting it with epidemiologist Dr. Anne Rimoin.</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or ... Show More
28m 41s
Nov 2017
Ep 3 Gnarlypox
This week we pay tribute to one of the gnarliest diseases of all time, and the only human disease that's ever been eradicated (thus far). That's right, people- we're talking smallpox! It's gonna get grody. Smallpox has a depressing history, a fascinating biology, a moderately upl ... Show More
57m 58s
Mar 2020
Max von Pettenkofer’s Anticontagionism
Pettenkofer's ideas about how cholera spread weren’t exactly right, but they still had really beneficial impacts on the way we live. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
32m 58s
Oct 2018
What is everything made of?
tail spinning
31m 25s
Aug 2023
'Speedboat Epidemiology': Eradicating Disease One Person At A Time
Smallpox is a deadly virus. At one point, it killed almost 1 in 3 people who had it. Almost 300 million of those deaths were in the 20th century alone. It was extremely painful, highly contagious and many people thought it would be impossible to wipe out—until it was. <br/><br/>O ... Show More
12m 28s
Sep 2023
Does garlic break magnets?
What would an episode of Unexplainable have sounded like if it had been made in 100 CE? For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show. Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com We read every email. ... Show More
30m 40s
Nov 2021
TechStuff Classic: Taking a Ride in an Ambulance
What is ambulance technology all about? Ben Bowlin joins the show to explore this listener-suggested topic. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
1h 20m
Sep 2021
What causes Alzheimer’s?
For decades, Alzheimer’s researchers have been stubbornly pursuing a single theory, but they’re starting to wonder: is this narrow focus the reason we still don’t have a cure? For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable It’s a great place to sign up for our newsletter, view show ... Show More
30m 10s