Jacques de Béthencourt (French pronunciation: [ʒak də betɑ̃kuʁ]; fl.
early 16th century) was a French physician who practiced medicine in Rouen.
As a Frenchman, Béthencourt resented the term Morbus Gallicus (French disease), which was a popular name for sexually transmitted diseases at the time.
He believed that since the disease originated from "illicit love" it should be named Morbus Venereus (Malady of Venus) or lues venerea (venereal disease).
In this treatise he creates an argument as to whether guaiacum or mercury is the best cure, and to what level of suffering a patient should have to endure in order to "be taught a necessary lesson".