Syphilis

Abstract

My reason for selecting syphilis as the subject of this dissertation is that I have had countless opportunities of studying the disease both in private and hospital practice,.

A few years ago, moreover, I happened to be assistant to the surgeon in charge of the Lock Wards at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary; and it was whilst there reap¬ ing the harvest of a unique clinical experience that I first thought of making syphilis a special study, and with a view to the consummation of my present literary aspirations.

During my experience as a general practitioner, too, I have had numerous and varied opportunities of making myself intimately acquainted with the disease amongst all classes of the community, - not to mention the almost innumerable syphilitics that came under my observation, in all stages of the disease, during the time of my tenure of the appointment of house-surgeon.

The peculiarly widespread character of the affection, the dangers to the individual and the general community arising therefrom, and its undoubtedly unfavourable influence on the death-rate, show how necessary it is that it he even better understood than at present by those who have to treat it.

A great deal has, of course,"been written upon the subject in the past:while at the present time,owing to the latest discussions with regard to the pathology of the disease,the literature of syphilis is possessed of an interest commensurate with its extensiveness and importance.

Taking all these things into consideration,it seemed that I could not do better than submit to the Medical Faculty of Edinburgh University a full, critical and practical account of such a protean and common affection as this in furtherance of my candidature for the degree of M. D.