Healthcare History Society

No Magic Bullet: A Social History of Venereal Disease in the United States Since 1880

The human response to venereal disease has always had a strongly social component. Not only is there biology involved; other factors also include prostitution, gender dynamics, sexuality, fear, and moralisms. In this work, Brandt identifies all of these impacts and constructs a narrative of how Americans have reacted to this disease since the underlying biology had begun to be unearthed in the late 19th century. He does so meticulously and comprehensively so that no important stone is left unturned and so that the reader has a 360-degree view of this often “hush-hush” matter.

This book begins in the progressive era when hope for triumph over social ills abounded. Already in this era, the disjunction of the causes of disease and morality can be seen. Individuals and groups emphasized an understanding of STDs either as a moral failing or as part-and-parcel of nature and life. While these differences in perspective underlay the social nature of this disease, they also impacted how the disease was portrayed among the public. The fundamental conflict of these approaches (morality vs. disease), well-illustrated by Brandt, seems to continue with us to this day.

This book provides an interesting take on human sexuality. As a history, the book’s contents are not meant to convey any inherently socially disruptive message. Nonetheless, it illustrates the shortcomings of many approaches towards sexuality from earlier times that are still with us. For instance, the need for personal responsibility is still an answer many give to sexual problems. Campaigns based on fear are still with us as are stigmatizations. The reader acquires an in-depth and intriguing view of the social dynamics of sexuality without being argued with. This side effect highlights the book’s strengths – that it treats a complex issue with fairness and objectivity.

Several themes should be noted. The military campaigns of the world wars are detailed because of their transformative impact. Not all trends continue with us; some trends change. For example, male use of prostitutes was viewed as a central issue in the late Victorian era and early 20th century; however, after World War II, premarital sex became a defining issue in its place. Effective medications also provided a means of social transformation towards sexual liberty while the resurgence of viruses (herpes and HIV) curtailed that same sexual liberty.

I wish more people would treat sexual diseases like Brandt does, with the seriousness they deserve. Sexuality is an important facet of human life, and despite the widely enforced cultural silence, its central social role is becoming increasingly identified. Likewise, disease is another facet with significant social import. The combination of these two – viewed through the prism of history – makes for a supremely interesting read. Despite being 35 years old, this book hits a high mark with erudition and excellence.

No Magic Bullet: A Social History of Venereal Disease in the United States Since 1880
By Allan M. Brandt
Copyright (c) 1985, 1987
Oxford University Press
ISBN13 9780195034691
Page Count: 266
Genre: History of Disease
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