SYPHILIS. 159 



which have been altogether neglected, or, what is even 

 worse, maltreated by advertising charlatans. Shame, 

 and fear of exposure, drive many of the erring into 

 the net spread for them by these quacks, and once 

 there, escape is more difficult than might be expected ; 

 in fact, to any but the strong-minded few of whom 

 are to be found in the position it is next to impos- 

 sible. Many of these ruffians, when they have learnt 

 the name, position, and resources of their victim, 

 proceed in the most deliberate manner, by the aid 

 of threats of exposure, to levy black-mail. Thus the 

 person who puts himself into the power of such 

 sharpers is liable to financial as well as physical ruin ; 

 the secret which would have been absolutely safe in 

 the keeping of any medical man being made the lever 

 for extorting sums which often exceed what would 

 suffice to fee the most eminent specialist that could 

 be chosen. 



In cases of inherited syphilis, the unfortunate child 

 should at once be placed under medical treatment. 

 Such children will require, during infancy and youth, 

 and, indeed, all through life, particularly jealous care 

 and treatment to secure a reasonable development, 

 and prevent, if possible, the onset of epilepsy, scrofula, 

 phthisis, or some other disease of degeneration. 



As to the question of marriage, experience has 

 shown that it is not safe for the person who has been 

 syphilitic to marry for a considerable time after the 

 reception of the poison. Mr. Jonathan Hutch inson, 

 our greatest authority in Eogland on the subject, lays 



