In a paper published in 1918, we1 reported an intensive study of this subject in the neurologic wards and serologic laboratory of the Mount Sinai Hospital. We now desire to bring our experiences down to date and to express our present views. In the light of a tendency to overemphasize the importance of early spinal fluid reactions, we have deemed it expedient critically to review these reactions and to estimate their significance as regards changes in the nervous system, and their proper relation to the nature and intensity of treatment.
Our knowledge of cytodiagnosis of the cerebrospinal fluid began with the work of Widal, Ravaut and Sicard2 in 1900. The addition of the Wassermann test, protein estimation and the colloidal gold test placed the diagnosis of syphilis of the central nervous system on a definite basis.
PRECLINICAL CHANGES IN SYPHILIS CF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Ravaut showed that during