RECURRENCE OF ORAL SYPHILITIC LESIONS DURING TREATMENT WITH MERCURY: REPORT OF THREE CASES

Recurrence of lesions of the skin and of the mucous membranes during the course of an attack of syphilis while the case is off treatment are not uncommon, approximately 3 per cent, of the admissions to the syphilitic clinic of this hospital being of this character. The most frequent form taken by lesions of this type is chancre redux. Another common form is the sore or sores occurring close to but not on the site of the original primary infection which, as McDonagh 1 states, are probably due to autoreinfection. Besides the lesions recurring in connection with the original primary infection, whether on the penis or elsewhere, recurrent signs of generalization, such as skin rashes, mucous patches and condylomas, are by no means infrequent. The history obtained in such cases is usually that at some considerable time previously, six months to a year or longer, the patient has received the