Beyond The Knife S02E05: A History of Gonorrhoea

Published: 29 May 2026

Beyond The Knife S02E05: A History of Gonorrhoea

Beyond The Knife
29 May 2026 23 minutes

In this episode, we’re joined by anatomist and human remains conservator Cat Irving as she explores the long and often bizarre history of gonorrhoea, from early diagnoses and eye-watering treatments to the strange phenomenon of “smurf syndrome.” Discover the medical misconceptions, curious cures, and social attitudes surrounding one of history’s most infamous diseases.