Wait, SYPHILIS Is the Reason Why We Have the Field of Dermatology?

In this new miniseries we’re calling “UnTextbooking the Museum Collections,” we dive into the vast collections of the Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum complex, made up of  21 museums and the National Zoological Park, as well as research facilities. This week, producer Jenny Fan talks with curator Katherine Ott, PhD, about curating medical history at the National Museum of American History. They talk about skin – the cultural lens we view medical diagnoses, the evolution of studying skin, and why early dermatologists were obsessed with syphilis. Plus, why does the Smithsonian have 150-year-old feces in its collection?  Listen to new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen. That way you never miss an episode.  Love the show? Consider writing us a review on your podcast app or telling a friend about the show. This really helps us spread the word.  Visit UnTextbooked.com for learning resources including a glossary of terms.  Show Notes:  00:00 - Introducing the “Untextbooking the Museum Collections” 2:18 - What does Dr. Katherine Ott research? 5:47 - History of skin and field of dermatology 9:57 - Early skin treatments & Syphilis 11:11 -  Jean-Louis-Marc Alibert 16:36 - Dr. Albert Kligman & Prison Experiments 20:51 - How does a Smithsonian curator select what’s in an exhibit? 27:05 - Takeaways & Reflections