118 APPLIED BACTERIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



throat, are exceedingly infectious. Examined with 

 the dark-field microscope, scrapings from these ulcera- 

 tions are seen to swarm with the Treponema pallidwn. 

 A syphilitic having mucous patches may infect a drink- 

 ing-cup or a spoon and cause infection of others. The 

 infection then makes its appearance on the lip or tongue 

 of the victim. Infection may also be carried through 

 kissing, 



Fig. 38. Treponema pallidum appearing as bright refractive 

 body on a dark field, as shown by India ink or ultramicroscope 

 (Park and Williams). 



When syphilis is transmitted from parent to offspring, 

 the disease often shows itself in the baby by what are 

 called "snuffles." The secretion from the nose of such 

 babies is highly infectious. A syphilitic baby should 

 not be given to a healthy wet-nurse to suckle. If the 

 mother cannot nurse it, the baby should be brought up 

 on the bottle. 



