APPENDIX 



199 



Favorable reports have also been published con- 

 cerning the reliability of the test in ophthalmology, 

 dermatology, and other departments of medicine. 



From the researches of Noguchi and others it 

 appears that with the progress of the cure of syphi- 

 litic infection not only do the symptoms of the 

 disease abate, but the blood reaction also grows 

 weaker and weaker, until ultimately, when cure 

 has been established, the reaction can no longer 

 be obtained. This is of clinical interest, for 

 it enables one, by means of the serum test, to 

 control the duration and efficacy of anti-syphilitic 

 treatment. At the same time it must be remem- 

 bered that the disappearance of the reaction need 

 not necessarily be permanent. Its reappearance, of 

 course, signifies that the virus is still present in the 

 body. 



