160 THE MORE CHRONIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES 



patient probably only with the moisture of ulcerated 

 surfaces, and one protects against contamination by 

 covering the ulcerated surfaces or wearing hand 

 protection. The mildest of antiseptics will destroy 

 the germs. The incubation period varies from four 

 weeks to as many months. 



Forms of Syphilis. This frightful disease which 

 causes so much mental and physical suffering may be 

 hereditary, congenital, or acquired. The course of the 

 three types varies a little, but the ultimate effect is the 

 same in all. In the first there are evidences of imper- 

 fect physical and mental development; the second is 

 an active form of the disease with symptoms and 

 infectious catarrhs and is easily transmitted to 

 attendants: the third is the form described above. 



Transmission. Aside from cohabitation, syphilis may 

 be transmitted by kissing, examining a patient, or 

 using any object that has come in contact with an 

 open sore. Wet-nurses may contract it from infected 

 children and transmit it to healthy children whom 

 they nurse. Both may be protected if those in 

 charge will have a Wassermann test made. If the 

 child be syphilitic it should be raised on the bottle, 

 while a wet-nurse with the disease would better 

 never nurse other than her own child. In protecting 

 against infection a weak (1 to 2000) bichloride of mer- 

 cury solution should always be on hand that the ulcers 

 may be wiped before examination and the hands dis- 

 infected afterward. That occupying a bed with an 

 actively diseased syphilitic or using anything be- 

 longing to him must be avoided goes without 

 saying. 



