The factors which predispose a patient to neurosyphilis have been much discussed, but they are still obscure. In general three factors may be said to determine involvement of the central nervous system : variations in reaction of infected persons to Spirochaeta pallida, the strain of the infecting organism, and the amount and character of antisyphilitic treatment. Antisyphilitic treatment, properly employed, may prevent or suppress the development of clinical neurosyphilis; on the other hand, such treatment may, under certain conditions, favor its development or hasten its clinical onset. The occurrence of precocious clinical neurosyphilis following one or several doses of arsphenamin soon sobered early enthusiasm in the drug. It is unnecessary to dwell on the controversy concerning the origin of these so-called neurorecurrences or neurorecidives; they are now considered syphilitic in nature. From the opening of the Syphilis Clinic of the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1914 to Sept. 1, 1921, 7,065 patients with syphilis have been treated. Of these 1,400, or 20 per cent., have had cases of primary or early secondary syphilis. Among this group neurorecurrences have developed in twenty-three patients, an incidence of 1.64 per cent. It is obvious that that figure is only approximate and actually too low, as many patients with early syphilis who attend the clinic until rendered asymptomatic by a few doses of arsphenamin and are accordingly ideal subjects for the development of neurorecurrences, subsequently seek treatment elsewhere. Sixteen additional neurorecurrences have been
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.