BACKGROUND 
I 
experimental infections in those patients with a history of previous gonor- 
rheal infection.” 167 
The experiments in Terre Haute presaged the work in Guatemala in a number 
of ways. They demonstrated how military and science leaders actively sought 
improved methods to combat STDs and their willingness to endorse experi- 
ments using human volunteers to improve STD prophylaxis. 168 They also 
provided a scientific impetus for the experiments in Guatemala; the inability 
to develop a reliable method for gonorrheal infection in Terre Haute left 
the researchers unable to address their primary research goal, more effective 
prophylaxis, and wondering about alternative infection strategies. The inves- 
tigators and reviewing committee viewed the Terre Haute experiments as a 
rare opportunity, and both Dr. Cutler and Dr. Mahoney viewed the work as 
unfinished. The chance to do additional experiments in Guatemala presented 
an unexpected and welcome opportunity. 
The Terre Haute research offered an important precedent for exploring and 
applying ethical constraints related to individual consent. These consider- 
ations did not constrain the later research in Guatemala. Conducting the 
experiments in Guatemala provided an opportunity to work with reduced 
concern for some of the key obstacles associated with the Terre Haute experi- 
ments: fear of adverse legal consequences and bad publicity. 169 
Developments in the Science 
and Prevention of Sexually 
Transmitted Diseases 
In June 1943, as he submitted plans for the 
Terre Haute experiments to OSRD/CMR, 
VDRL chief Dr. John Mahoney began 
studying the effects of penicillin on syphilis 
in human subjects. 170 Through a limited four- 
person human trial with colleagues Drs. R.C. 
Arnold and Ad Harris, both of whom worked 
at the VDRL, the researchers showed that 
eight days of penicillin use caused “a more or 
Richard C. Arnold , „ c . 
From the National Library of Medicine less rapid and complete disappearance or the 
23 
