Blackbeard is perhaps most famous for his legendary blockade of Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. In 1718, Blackbeard entered Charleston Harbor in his ship known as Queen Anne's Revenge with three smaller ships. He proceeded to plunder five merchant ships entering or leaving the harbor.
syphilisBlackbeard probably had syphilis When he held prisoners for ransom, such as the Governor's son during the week-long Charlestown blockade in 1718, he asked for expensive medical supplies. This included mercury which, when injected through a urethral syringe, was a common (ineffective) treatment for syphilis.
Among the more gruesome items was a urethral syringe — a device with a small angled nozzle used to inject mercury into the male urethra to treat syphilis. Carnes-McNaughton said mercury was thought to be a cure. Another item was a clyster pump used to administer medical enemas for “quick absorption,” she said.Jan 30, 2015
A urethral syringe, like this one, with its curved funnel tip was used to administer mercury for the treatment of venereal diseases. Analysis of the residue recovered from the interior of the syringe does in fact show a low concentration of mercury.
Mercury was in use by the early 16th century, and remained the primary treatment for syphilis until the early 20th century.
Today, it is known that the sailors' scurvy was caused by vitamin C deficiency. Because fresh fruits and vegetables could not be stored on board, lime juice provided the vitamin C the sailors needed.
It starts off barely noticeable but, slowly, throughout the first movie and its sequels, it gets more and more obvious. This is actually an in-joke between Johhny Depp and the film's makeup department, who theorize that this scab is actually because Jack has syphilis.Mar 28, 2021
First the wounded pirate would get a drink of rum to numb the pain slightly. Then the 'surgeon' would tie a tourniquet to the affected limb to stop the flow of blood. Next the 'surgeon' would saw off the arm or leg. A hot axe would cauterise the wound.Sep 19, 2019