Tik Merauke - An Epidemic Like No Other by Dr. John Richens, available from Melbourne University Publishing. 
---->> Click HERE to purchase.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this week's episode we are joined by author and physician, Dr. John Richens, all the way from the U.K.  He is a world expert in the disease known as Donovanosis, a unique sexually transmitted infection which nearly decimated an entire culture of people, the Marind of West Papua on the island of New Guinea.  His book, Tik Merauke, is a comprehensive account of how this infection affected the Marind in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and why this disease, which is typically difficult to spread, had an unusually large impact on their people.   This is a story that is not usually covered in medical history circles so we're happy to shed some light on it here.  We hope you enjoy and we strongly recommend John's book as a fascinating read.

**Please note that there will be discussions of the cultural sexual practices of the Marind as they are important to understanding this story.  This will include some descriptions of the sexually transmitted infection as well as the damage it can do.  Listener discretion is advised given the content.

Melbourne University Publishing can be followed on Twitter and Instagram via these links.

Support the show

-----
PHPod Merch Store (CLOSED)
-----
Podcast Linktree (social media links / reviews / ratings)
-----
#medicine #medicalhistory #history #historypodcast