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Microbes and You 



The tertiary stage, in which the central nervous system is afiFected 

 with various degrees of paralysis, may occur at any time, even 

 years, after the secondary symptoms. Non-venereal syphihs is 

 practically non-existent. Sexual promiscuity, particularly with in- 

 fected prostitutes, accounts for a major percentage of cases of this 

 disease. 



Fig. 58. Treponema pallidum in dark field. {Courtesy of the 

 American Optical Company, Instrument Division, Buffalo, New York.) 



Treponema pallidum can migrate through the placenta and in- 

 fect a developing fetus, causing congenital syphilis. It is un- 

 fortunate that it is considered "bad taste" to publish pictures 

 showing what advanced syphilis can do to the human body, 

 especially to innocent children, because a few pictures could con- 

 vey more than many pages of printed words on the subject. Too 

 many persons must learn through bitter experience, and the total 

 damage to themselves and to others is difficult to evaluate. 



