 In 16th century Italy , <unk> Falloppio wrote a treatise on syphilis . The earliest documented strain of syphilis , first appearing in Europe in a <unk> outbreak , caused severe symptoms and often death within a few months of contracting the disease . Falloppio 's treatise is the earliest uncontested description of condom use : it describes linen <unk> soaked in a chemical solution and allowed to dry before use . The <unk> he described were sized to cover the glans of the penis , and were held on with a ribbon . Falloppio claimed that an experimental trial of the linen sheath demonstrated protection against syphilis . 
