1912/10/05 by HOMER F. SWIFT, Homer F. Swift
Medicine · #Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment #Historical Medical Research and Treatments
paper · doi:10.1001/jama.1912.04270100021007
The numerous contributions to the study of syphilis in recent years have confirmed in many points the previous observations of a purely clinical nature; along other lines they have settled mooted questions, but they have caused the previous views in regard to treatment to be largely revised. The Wassermann reaction has been in use long enough to establish its place definitely as an indicator of efficient treatment. While a single negative reaction does not mean that the patient is cured, a positive reaction certainly indicates the presence of spirochetes in some part of the body. In a previous communication one of us<sup>1</sup>has called attention to the proportion of positive reactions in latent syphilis, and its relation to the intensity of treatment as carried out in this country. In cases of latent syphilis, within three years of the time of infection, 75 per cent. showed a positive reaction. In