SYPHILIS. 203 



would not account for the presence of the bacilli in the 

 internal organs, where they were observed by Lustgarten 

 and others. And further, there are minor points of differ- 

 ence between this smegma bacillus and Lustgarten's bacillus. 

 It has also been suggested by some that the organisms 

 described by Lustgarten are merely tubercle bacilli which 

 have been accidentally present in the affected tissues. 

 Those, however, who have found the former organism in 

 the tissues agree that it can be readily distinguished from 

 the tubercle bacillus, as it does not resist decolorising with 

 strong acids. This explanation of the presence of these 

 bacilli in the tissues is really without definite support. 



The organism has not been cultivated outside the body, 

 though, in view of what we know with regard to some other 

 diseases, this fact in itself does not form a grave objection. 

 In the absence, however, of definite evidence as to its 

 invariable presence in the lesions, its relations to the 

 disease are still highly problematical. It may also be 

 noticed that this organism has been found in the tertiary 

 lesions, which are usually believed to be non-infectious. 



Other organisms have been described as present in 

 syphilitic lesions, notably one quite recently by Van 

 Niessen. This organism is a pleomorphous bacillus 

 belonging to the higher bacteria. He claims not only to 

 have demonstrated it, both in the tissues and in the blood, 

 but to have obtained it in pure culture from a number of 

 cases. Until confirmation of his results has been obtained 

 it is unnecessary to give details. 



