Comments on: The Famous Montpellier Venereal Little Bolus

By: Caro

Caro — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:26:43 +0000

Hi Melissa, apologies that your comment disappeared for a while after my site went offline yesterday.

Some other 18thC adverts are even more forthright, using the terms ‘the pox’ and ‘the clap.’ Although these were also referred to as ‘the secret disease’, the advertisers do seem to have been fairly realistic about it.

By: Melissa Bellanta

Melissa Bellanta — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:17:56 +0000

As a Victorianist, I’m interested that the ad is so forthright. It basically just says ‘this is for venereal disease’ rather than engaging in all the euphemistic subterfuge of such ads in later years. Certainly bears out the fact that frankness on bodily matters was more possible before the Victorian era.

By: Tweets that mention The Montpellier Venereal Little Bolus | The Quack Doctor -- Topsy.com

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:50:14 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lidian and Patrick Baty, Carol Devine. Carol Devine said: Eww! Glee becomes gleet..tweet becomes gleet? RT @quackwriter The Montpellier Venereal Little Bolus | The Quack Doctor http://ow.ly/1n07pn [...]

By: Caro

Caro — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:00:44 +0000

I don’t know if there are any surviving copies but I am pretty sure it would have been fake – just a ploy to get punters in. The ads claimed it also gave advice to patients on how to find a cure but I’d imagine that when people went to collect it they’d discover it was just an insubstantial advertising pamphlet.

By: Caro

Caro — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:53:47 +0000

It is a great word – should be brought back into use.

By: Lidian

Lidian — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:12:34 +0000

That is fascinating (and terrible!) to think that there was an actual directory of venereal patients! So much for physicians and confidentiality. I wonder if it survives anywhere?

Terrific and fascinating post, as always.

By: michael

michael — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:39:02 +0000

gleet – wonderful new word; i shall be gleeting frequently for the next few days until i find a curative pea-sized bolus

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:07:37 +0000

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This post was mentioned on Twitter by SmallCasserole: RT @quackwriter The Montpellier Venereal Little Bolus | The Quack Doctor http://ow.ly/1n07pn...