Lincoln and Syphilis

[AussieMick]

I find it impossible to argue with anything in the above posts.
In particular "Is there a single New Salem resident who ever said Lincoln visited prostitutes?" . Im sure it wasnt something that people discussed or even gossiped about at the time ... but there would, I think, have been snide comments after he became candidate and elected President and later after the assassination.

Its possible that he contracted syphilis from Anne Rutledge. We know that she had been engaged to John McNamar. Obviously we have no idea of any sexual activity between any of them.

Another significant point is that we can be fairly certain that after becoming President, Lincoln was faithful to Mary. Men in power, I believe, are often tempted and many succumb. But if he wasnt faithful, then I'm certain we'd know about.

What about when he was on 'law circuit' before Presidency? Yes, perhaps he visited prostitutes. But, again, we really only have Herndon's comments ... nobody else's (to my knowledge).
I'd add that its entirely possible that Lincoln told Herndon a risque story that he (Lincoln) thought that Herndon would enjoy ... it wouldnt be the first time that a man has told another man about sexual exploits which didnt happen.

The main question for me is "Did Lincoln believe that he might have syphilis?" And I think it is likely (nothing stronger) that the answer is "yes". I base that on his peculiar behaviour before marriage to Mary. Also his letter to Dr Drake which he read to Speed but omitted (!) a section . I must admit to finding this a very odd sequence of events ... why would anybody read/tell (even a very good friend) about the contents of a letter to a doctor?

Finally, I'd point out the knowledge of syphilis in the 1840s would have been fairly small. There were I think rumours as to what, apart from direct sex, caused it. Shaking hands with an infected person or sleeping in a bed that had been recently vacated by a person who had syphilis, for example. The symptoms and potential effects would have been nightmares for many.