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Article
September 1942

Serology in Syphilis Control; Principles of Sensitivity and Specificity. With an Appendix for Health Officers and Industrial Physicians

Arch Derm Syphilol. 1942;46(3):468. doi:10.1001/archderm.1942.01500150134019

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Abstract

As the author states, the text of this little volume deals with principles of sensitivity and specificity with special reference to syphilis control. It does not deal with technic. He emphasizes the value of serology in any syphilis control program. A definition is given of what is meant by sensitivity and specificity in serology, and the statement is made that it is impossible to aim at 100 per cent sensitivity in syphilis.

Some of the historical data leading up to precipitation reactions and to flocculation tests are reviewed.

Kahn doubts the value of multiple tests but brings out the usefulness of quantitative serologic reactions. The Kahn verification test is also discussed.

There is an appendix for health officers and industrial physicians, covering, among other things, blood testing, evaluating serologic tests and laboratories and eliminating technical errors.

Abstracts are also added of some addresses given at a conference on "Serology in

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