148 THE MORE CHRONIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES 



produces the primary sore, the hard chancre. Even 

 before this is fully developed, the spirochsetse have 

 journeyed to the neighboring lymph glands where an 

 enlargement results. They then invade both the lymph 

 routes and the blood and rapidly infest all bodily 

 tissues. They stimulate the small round cells of blood 

 and tissue to multiply even up to fibrous tissue forma- 

 tion, and they cause degeneration of the functionating 

 structures. Just how they make the gumma is only 

 conjectured. All their effects, however, are probably 

 due to the toxins set free upon their death and dis- 

 integration. The spirochsetse remain in the body as 

 long as the patient lives, if untreated. They leave the 

 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 first and the 

 last are easy to understand. The congenital form is 

 acquired by the infant at birth from some open, 

 active lesions on the mother. The course of the three 

 types varies a little, but the ultimate effect is the 

 same in all. 



Transmission. Aside from cohabitation syphilis may 

 be transmitted by kissing, or using any object that has 

 come in contact with an open sore. Wet-nurses often 

 contract it and transmit it. In protecting against infec- 

 tion a weak 1 to 2000 bichloride of mercurv solution 



