There are few diseases in which early and persistent treatment is as uniformly followed by good results as is the treatment of syphilis by the arsenicals.
The fascinating spectacle of lesions, especially those of the skin, which formerly lasted weeks and months, disappearing in a few days like snow before the sun is a source of continuing satisfaction to the syphilographer and probably accounts for the devotion of many to this field of medical endeavor.
This interest and devotion having once been acquired, the fact that the disease is slow, insidious, treacherous and prone to relapse only stimulates one's efforts still further to conquer and control it.
Owing to the well known tendency of syphilis to become latent and then relapse after a long period of time, one must be exceedingly careful in evaluating as a permanent "cure" any form of treatment, the effect of which has not been observed