1 68 THE NEXT GENERATION 



It is well to know that the first sore always shows itself on 

 the identical spot where the cracked membrane and the dis- 

 eased surface met. No wonder it is called " the mark of the 

 devil," for it shows just where the microbes entered. 



Once established, they multiply, and as they multiply they 

 manufacture a poison. This poison is poured into the blood 

 stream, and wherever the blood goes after that, there also 

 goes the poison of the plague. 



" At the end of a few weeks," writes Dr. Forel, " eruptions 

 appear on the body and face, and then commences a series 

 of disasters the cause of which may be suspended over the 

 victim for his whole life like the sword of Damocles, even 

 when he believes himself cured, for the cure is often un- 

 certain. This disease may remain latent for months and 

 years, to reappear later in different organs. It causes ulcers 

 of the skin and mucous membranes ; it sometimes causes 

 decay of the bones , it affects the walls of the blood vessels, 

 causing them to become hard and brittle ; it causes diseases 

 of the eye (especially of the iris and retina), tumors in the 

 brain, paralysis, etc. In fact, it spares none of the organs of 

 the body." 



Speaking of this disease, which is called syphilis, Dr. Morrow 

 says : " It plays the role of sapper and miner among diseases ; 

 it undermines the constitution, weakens the organic defenses, 

 diminishes the capacity of resistance, and thus renders the 

 system an easy prey to other forces of disease." 



Dr. Osier speaks of it as " the worm that dieth not and 

 the fire that is not quenched." Miss Lavinia Dock, who has 

 cared for patients in all their degrees of suffering, says that 

 " mucous patches may appear in all or in any part of the 

 mouth and gums, tongue, tonsils, and pharynx. They may 

 also appear at the corners of the lips or in the nasal lining." 



