APPENDIX. 159 



While it was found that the test was roughly spe- 

 cific, it was soon realized that a precipitate might 

 at times be produced with the serum of surely 

 non-syphilitic individuals, and similar unfavorable 

 result^ have since been published by other authors. 

 At the present time, therefore, the only reliable 

 serum diagnosis of syphilis is that based on the 

 absorption of complement. 



The results obtained with the Wassermann test are 

 well reflected in the findings of Fleischmann, as 

 follows : 



The total number of persons tested was 230, of 

 which 38 were controls. None of the latter gave a 

 positive reaction. The other cases can be arranged 

 into four groups thus : 



1 i ) Cases surely syphilitic, with clinically manifest 

 signs of syphilis at the time of the test. Of 89 such 

 cases tested, 83 gave a positive reaction (93%). 



(2) Cases surely syphilitic but without clinical 

 symptoms at the time of the test. Of 64 such 

 cases tested, 33 gave a positive reaction (52%), and 

 31 gave a negative reaction (48%). 



(3) Cases with symptoms suggestive of syphilis, 

 and with an indefinite history of infection. Of 32 

 such cases, 16 gave a positive reaction (50%), and 

 the rest a negative reaction. 



(4) Surely syphilitic individuals showing cutaneous 

 lesions which the dermatologists diagnosed as very 

 probably not syphilitic. Of 7 such cases, i gave a 

 positive reaction and the rest a negative reaction. 



Bruck and Stern tested 378 cases suspected to be 



