WA88ERMANX REACTION. 291 



negative clinical symptoms, and which gave a 

 positive reaction, varies from 0.3 to 3.6 per cent. 



The results in the parasyphilitic diseases are as 

 follows : In tabes, using blood serum, the average 

 of positive reactions is 62.88 per cent.; using 

 cerebrospinal fluid. 56.2 per cent. In general 

 paresis, using blood serum, 88.1 per cent, of cases 

 are positive, with cerebrospinal fluid 90 per cent. 

 (Noguchi). 



The earliest appearance of the Wassermann re- 

 action is that reported by Lesser, eight days after 

 exposure. The reaction usually appears by the 

 end of the fourth week after the appearance of the 

 chancre. 



Among non-syphilitic diseases the Wassermann 

 reaction has been observed in trypanosomiasis, in 

 leprosy with less constancy, in scarlet fever (usu- 

 ally weakly positive and transient), in frambesia, 

 tuberculosis and carcinoma. In these non-syph- 

 ilitic diseases, the ones giving the highest per 

 cent, positive reactions are those least likely to be 

 confused with s}^philis. The reactions found at 

 times in carcinoma and tuberculosis may be due 

 to concurrent syphilis. 



Specific treatment has been found by all ob- 

 servers to have a profound influence on the 

 Wassermann reaction and disappearance of the 

 test has been observed after treatment for from 

 six months to five years. 



A positive reaction is therefore regarded by 

 many observers as an indication for further 

 treatment. 



