120 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 pallidum. 

 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 syphihs is transmitted from parent to offspring, 

 the disease often shows itself in the l^aby 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. 



