RELATION OF SKIN TO NONSPECIFIC RESISTANCE 141 



to the spirochete, and the effect of syphilis is strikingly similar in both 

 cases, as Gartner has recently pointed out. Specific therapeutic meas- 

 ures have been found equally unsatisfactory in syphilitic lesions in 

 both tissues. 



If we are able to bring about a nonspecific stimulation we at times 

 seem to be able to secure a much more prompt effect on the luetic 

 lesion; the therapeutic application of the principle has been discussed 

 under the respective subjects. 



It seems probable that the clinical impression of increased resist- 

 ance to syphilis on the part of the internal organs when skin involve- 

 ment has been extensive may have some definite basis, in that a severe 

 inflammatory reaction in the skin during the time of the invasion by 

 the spirochete might, by nonspecifically stimulating the body, increase 

 the resistance of certain of its tissues that normally are more sus- 

 ceptible to the spirochete. If this reaction occurs sufficiently early the 

 virus might be prevented from gaining a firm foothold in the susceptible 

 tissue and in this manner later parasyphilitic lesions might become less 

 frequent in such individuals. 



