FAILURE TO DEMONSTRATE SPIROCHAETA PALLIDA IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF SYPHILITIC CHINESE PATIENTS

The demonstration of Spirochaeta pallida in the cerebrospinal fluid of syphilitic patients has been successfully accomplished many times, but the frequency with which organisms may be found is still uncertain. The general impression seems to be that the incidence is comparatively high; this is probably due to the fact that positive rather than negative results have attracted attention. Few series, moreover, are sufficiently large to permit statistical evaluation of results. The matter is further complicated by the fact that various technics have been employed. At present, at least, only one, that of inoculation of animals, gives any information as to the important point of the viability of the organisms. The majority of investigations on this aspect of syphilitic disease have been carried out on white and Negro patients in European and American clinics. In 1931 and 1932 a study was made on the cerebrospinal fluids of forty Chinese patients