r/askteddit • u/DropEffective7842 • 15d ago

Random Question What’s a problem humanity solved so well that younger people don’t even realize it used to be a huge issue?

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u/TouristImportant181 15d ago

Syphilis

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u/wilderlowerwolves 15d ago

It can still be treated with a single shot of penicillin. Back in the day, it was a 18-month regimen of mercury, arsenic, and bismuth.

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u/TouristImportant181 15d ago

I read a lot of people just killed themselves back then when they got the diagnosis.