The pathology of syphilis of the nervous system in the light of modern research : Morison Lectures, 1909 / by F.W. Mott.

  • Mott, F. W. (Frederick Walker), 1853-1926
Date:
[1948?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The pathology of syphilis of the nervous system in the light of modern research : Morison Lectures, 1909 / by F.W. Mott. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SYPHILIS SPIROCHAETE AND OTHER KINDS OF SPIROCHAETES.—(Hoffmann). Syphilis Spirochaete. Other Forms, 1. —Large size 10-15 n on the average, still often more than this. The extreme tenuity of the fibre (J n). This relation between length of fibre and its thickness is very characteristic. 2. —Very slightly retractile in fresh prepara- tions, therefore only visible with the best apochromatic lenses. 3. —Ends are pointed, often terminating in long red threads. 4. —Movements screw-like around this long axis; lateral pendulum movements ; movements forwards and backwards still less active, often remains a long time inactive anchored to a blood corpuscle, whilst it exhibits rotatory and slight pendulum movements. o.—The spiral possesses deep, steep, and very regular coils of cork-screw form. Fibres excessively thin in comparison to the length and depth of the spiral. 6.—Relation of the depth to the length of the coils mostly greater than 1, namely, 1-0—1*2; 1*0—1-5. 1. —Fibres relative to their length far thicker, therefore they have a plumper appearance ; the finer forms are mostly shorter than the sp. pallida. 2. —Strongly retractile, and therefore easily seen in fresh preparations. 3. —Ends blunt. End threads seldom seen. 4.—Lateral movement much more active, eel like and sinuous, and more rapid change of position. Anchors to cells much less frequently, and detaches itself quicker. 5. —Coils flatter, irregular, in many forms (Sj>. Dtntium) narrower fibres, thick and plump in comparison to the breadth of the coils. 6. —The known relation is smaller than 1. 7. —Great elasticity and retention of the spiral form, therefore with more difficulty deformable. 8. —Only trifling variations in breadth in respect to the form ; only the length therefore, also the number of coils variable. 9. —It is coloured by Giemsa red (general scattered chromidial substance). 7. —Softer and more pliable, therefore the form is more changeable. 8. —Great variability, all transitions from small to large, from thick, to thin examples. 9. —Colour more bluish red ; nuclear rod or rod nucleolus in plasma often demon- strable. Schaudinn and Hoffmann were able to prove that the Sjnrochceta Pallida is found in all cases of syphilis and is never found in any other affections. They also discovered spirochaetes in fresh preparations not only on the surface of the chancres and papules, whether of the skin or mucous membranes, but also in the depths of the tissues and in the juice of enlarged inguinal glands of syphilitic cases. Metchnikoff, Houx, and Levaditi have demonstrated the presence of the spirochaetes in chancres on the face and penis of monkeys in association with other organisms; they also found the spirochaete in papules. Buschke and Eischer dis- covered spirochaetes in abundance in the liver and spleen of an infant affected with congenital syphilis, and Levaditi demonstrated numbers of