Syphilis and Other Venereal Diseases (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ...his case is considered at once as one of tertiary syphilis--nay, more, I have read cases reported as tertiary syphilis in which the patient has absolutely denied ever having had any venereal disease whatever. On what then was the diagnosis founded? Was it because the symptoms were mitigated by the administration of iodide of potassium? But it must be borne in mind that this salt can exercise its absorbent and alterative qualities on the system in morbid conditions which have nothing to do with syphilis, such as bronchocele, tuberculous enlargement of glands, etc.; so that I think it is well not to ascribe cases to syphilis unless absolute proof be forthcoming of the existence of that disease in the system; and still further, that the mere fact of patients having had syphilis does not always warrant the sweeping manner in which all obscure symptoms in after-life are sometimes put down to that disease. On the other hand, bearing in mind the pathology and course of a gumma, we must not lose sight of the effect that one of these tertiary manifestations would have on the brain or spinal cord. The complete consideration of syphilis of these regions would be beyond the scope of this work; it must suffice here for me to say that the medical man should constantly bear in mind that patients may be affected in this way, and should always be on the look-out for the slightest sign that the disease has attacked these parts, as it must be at once apparent how important is the early diagnosis of these lesions in order to begin (or, rather, to renew) treatment at once. Therefore, first, any signs of brain disease; secondly, stiffness or pain in the back (especially when worse at night), hyperaesthesia of the limbs, girdle pains, optic neuritis, paresis, ..