The scaly copper-colored eruption, denominated, according to its severity and appearance, syphilitic lepra or psoriasis, is regarded as most characteristic of true syphilis, and is the most frequent. The annexed is a drawing copied from nature; it is alluded to a few pages further on: its pattern is frequently to be met with. A celebrated writer, Mr. Carmichael, attaches considerable importance to the character and appearance of the eruptions. He divides the venereal disease into four species or varieties: 1st, the scaly venereal disease, which he considers consequent upon the ordinary chancre; 2d, the papular, consequent upon gonorrhœal ulceration; 3d, the tubercular; and 4th, the pustular, he names from its appearance. These distinctions, if correct, must be more interesting to the surgeon, than serviceable to the patient, for the principles of treatment must be alike in all. Now, although mercury may be denied to possess any specific influence over the syphilitic poison, either by its chemical action or neutralizing power, except as a counter-irritant to the system, yet the inability of nature to shake off the pestilential hydra, unassisted by the weapons of the physician, is most apparent; and the most powerful of which is, that class of medicines called alteratives, none of which are more deserving, none more manageable, if the least judgment be displayed, than mercury. The constitution, when under the influence of syphilitic poison, is being led like a willing horse to its own destruction; and unless the system be entirely revolutionized, that event is not likely to be retarded. Here mercury[5] may lend its powerful aid, and may be carried even so far as to produce mild ptyalism or salivation. But there are instances where mercury is inadmissible. The patient, however, need not despair; extensive resources are still open for him—the preparations of antimony,[6] the mineral acids, sarsaparilla (Forms 49, 50, 51), iodine (Form 52), and a host of others may be resorted to; and last, though not least in importance, is the medicated vapor and fumigating bath. From my connexion with an establishment of that kind, my disinterestedness might be questioned in advising the employment of bathing. As well might the apothecary who deals in his own drugs, or the tradesman who vends his own wares, be suspected of disingenuousness; the reply I would offer should be, that the reader or invalid need not pin his faith on my assertion, unless it so please him; or if he does, may the onus lie at my door. But for his sake, and to bear out my own assertion, I offer this declaration, that, for the last twenty years, in conducting my establishment (wherein more cases of syphilitic eruption have presented themselves, than probably have fallen under the notice of any other medical man in London within the same period), no case, of which I have had the management, has failed of being cured.