Was Hitler ever treated for syphilis?
A fresh attempt to suggest that Hitler’s behaviour might partly be influenced by advanced syphilis has been made by a US historian. The rumour that the Nazi leader might have contracted the sexual disease has surfaced before – along with a multitude of conflicting and occasionally outlandish theories about his health. Syphilis is easily curable in its early stages by modern antibiotic treatments, but if left untreated for some years, secondary symptoms, including heart, nerve and mental problems may emerge. The latest book, “Pox: Genius, Madness and the Mysteries of Syphilis” by Deborah Hayden, says that Hitler had many of the symptoms which might point to advanced syphilis. These included encephalitis, dizziness, neck pustules, chest pain and an “accentuated heartbeat”. Ms Hayden also points to signals which suggests a mental decline in his last years, including “paranoid rages”. Mental disturbances and mania are also known symptoms of late-stage syphilis. It is also suggested that Hi
