Neurosyphilis : $b Modern systematic diagnosis and treatment presented in one hundred and thirty-seven case historiesSouthard, Elmer Ernest
Science
Neurosyphilis : $b Modern systematic diagnosis and treatment presented in one hundred and thirty-seven case histories
Southard, Elmer Ernest
Neurosyphilis
The first ten of the Waverley Anatomical Series are shortly to be
described in a forthcoming publication.[21] Of these ten cases, four
showed some slight evidence of chronic inflammatory changes, indicating
the possibility of a syphilitic or similar infectious condition. These
cases, be it remembered, were not cases of juvenile paresis, but cases
of what, for the lack of a better name, may be called “ordinary”
feeblemindedness.
If all or any of these processes are syphilitic, the syphilis is
virtually extinct. The cases had not been treated for syphilis and were
not regarded as syphilitic, though several of them showed a few stigmata
somewhat suggestive of syphilis. The anatomical conclusion at this time
is still doubtful.
As in the text case, the hypothesis of syphilis as a direct cause for
simple feeblemindedness must be entertained for a few cases. In any
event, it would not seem logical to let any institution for the
feebleminded run without a Wassermann analysis of the population. In
addition to the Wassermann data from the blood serum, osteological data
from the X-ray have proved of occasional value for syphilis diagnosis in
this as in other groups.
“Within the gates of Hell sat Sin and Death.”
Paradise Lost, Book X, Line 230.
VI. NEUROSYPHILIS AND THE WAR
Although the American toll of war syphilis has not yet begun and
although the crop of neurosyphilis due to war infections may not arrive
until the mid or late twenties of the century (witness German experience
in the eighties of the last century), it seems proper here to give a
number of abstracts _re_ neurosyphilis as it has developed in the war.
Available reports from English, French, and German sources have been
levied upon for the years 1914–16.
It is clear that all the armies have had their share of
neurosyphilitics, some clearly diseased before enlistment, some
developing symptoms as a result of training, stress, or shock, others
hastened or made worse by war conditions.
There are important questions of pension, retirement, and compensation
for neurosyphilitics. No previous war has had the benefit of the
Wassermann reaction and other exact tests bearing upon the nature,
progress, and curability of neurosyphilis.
That we shall have our fill of pension and other problems can already be
seen from continental reports. Thibierge,[22] for example, states that
syphilis has become a real epidemic among the French soldiers and
mobilized munition workers.
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