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14:50 Apr 7, 2010
Hungarian to English translations [PRO] Medical - Medical (general)
Hungarian term or phrase:Bujakórság
A death record indicating that someone in 1844 died of bujakórság.
Explanation: „bujakór, bujakórság: a szifilisz, a vérbaj elnevezése. A Treponema pallidum nevű spirochéta által okozott nemi betegség. A kórokozó leginkább nemi érintkezés útján jut a szervezetbe. 2-4 heti lappangási idő után kis csomó, fekély keletkezik, egyidejűleg a nyirokcsomók megkeményednek. Újabb 4-6 heti lappangás után a testen kiütések jelent-keznek. további 2-20 évi tünetmentesség után jelentkeznek a későbbi tünetek: kifekélye-sedő csomók, csontelváltozások, vérkeringési zavarok. A központi idegrendszer két jellegzetes késői szifiliszes betegsége a hátgerincsorvadás és a paralysis progressiva.”
Dear Sophie,
The term "bujakórság" was used to refer to a sexually transmitted disease only, no question about that. It can also be found in the Hungarian-English dictionary (nagyszótár) under "bujakór" = "syphilis". As I wrote in my peer comment (agreeing with Attila) we need to verify that this was the English term used at that time. Since your certificate is dated 1844, and because I find the list of archaic medical terms reliable (to which I posted the link below: http://www.antiquusmorbus.com/English/EnglishS.htm), I think "syphilis" is the correct translation. Although at this link you will find a few popular terms as well, such as "Spanish Disease," since the term "syphilis" has been used in popular English literature since sometime before 1759 [Webster], I would not recommend any other variation. For the sake of unambiguity, I would use what can be understood by anyone, medical doctors and laymen alike, that is simply "syphilis."
Attila, thank you, I was also able to get the references you provide via Google, but they don't answer my question, which is why I posted the question on the Pro level for Medical specialty. I think the answer requires specialized knowledge of historical medical terminology. It makes a difference to me whether this person died of pox/smallpox (common infection at the time transmitted in many ways) vs. syphilis (transmitted only sexually, unles congenital). The person who died was a 20-yr old female. The current term for pox, as you mention, is Himlo. But could have they used Bujakorsag as a Himlo synonym in 1844?
“Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochetal bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The route of transmission of syphilis is almost always through sexual contact, although there are examples of congenital syphilis via transmission from mother to child in utero.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syphilis
"A pox is a type of disease, often caused by an animal virus, characterised by pockmarks. The term may be used (in an archaic sense) to refer to disease.
Pox, as a disease, may refer to:
• Poxviruses
o Smallpox
o Monkeypox
• Potyviridae
o Plum pox
• Herpes viruses
o Chicken pox
• Syphilis" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pox
Could the term "Bujakorsag" mean Pox, rather than Syphilis? Did they differentiate between the two at the time? Sis there a difference? Several people on the same page in the record died of bujakorsag. I don't speak Hungarian, please explain in English.
Explanation: „bujakór, bujakórság: a szifilisz, a vérbaj elnevezése. A Treponema pallidum nevű spirochéta által okozott nemi betegség. A kórokozó leginkább nemi érintkezés útján jut a szervezetbe. 2-4 heti lappangási idő után kis csomó, fekély keletkezik, egyidejűleg a nyirokcsomók megkeményednek. Újabb 4-6 heti lappangás után a testen kiütések jelent-keznek. további 2-20 évi tünetmentesség után jelentkeznek a későbbi tünetek: kifekélye-sedő csomók, csontelváltozások, vérkeringési zavarok. A központi idegrendszer két jellegzetes késői szifiliszes betegsége a hátgerincsorvadás és a paralysis progressiva.”
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +6