SYPHILIS 229 



finds most frequently as a diplo-bacillus. The two rods 

 are not in a straight line, but inclined to one another at 

 an acute angle, presenting a V-shaped appearance. The 

 remarkable feature about this reported discovery is that 

 he finds the bacillus when submitted to subculture exhibits 

 other forms and produces mycelial threads and spores. 

 The organism is said to liquefy gelatine, but to grow best 

 on blood serum. The entire account of the discovery 

 seems highly improbable. 



Stassano (France M4d., August 6 and 13, 1897) draws 

 attention to the gradual tendency of the parts affected by 

 syphilis to become immune to further attacks, chiefly as 

 regards the skin. The early secondary lesions invade the 

 skin symmetrically ; later eruptions are more and more 

 limited as parts of the skin previously aifected become 

 immunised. The primary chancre he regards not as a 

 local result of the syphilitic virus, but as a secondary lesion 

 caused in the following way. The swelling of the inguinal 

 glands forms the first line of defence against the syphilitic 

 virus, and owing to the barrier caused by them, the virus 

 is diverted into the blood-vessels of the same region instead 

 of getting into the general lymphatic circulation. The 

 virus takes action in the superficial capillaries of the skin 

 and mucous membrane, resulting in the formation of the 

 chancre. 



An admirable article, entitled ' The Social Evil and the 

 Propagation of Venereal Disease,' appeared in the Lancet 

 of February 1, 1896, in which attention is called to the 

 great benefits that are derived from the systematic inspec- 

 tion of prostitutes, and the evils that must arise from want 

 of regulations or supervision of any kind. To be convinced 

 of this, it is only necessary to examine the statistics of the 

 venereal disease among our soldiers before and after the 

 repeal of the ' C. D. ' Acts, and it is very greatly to be 



