Abstract
That a widespread dissemination of Treponema pallidum may be produced in the rabbit by local inoculation has been shown by the recovery of the organisms in isolated instances from the blood, lymphnodes or other organs as well as by the occasional occurrence of generalized lesions in infected animals. However, there is no evidence to show either the time or frequency with which this dissemination occurs or whether the organisms thus distributed over the body are capable of sustaining the infection in these animals.
With these questions in mind, a series of experiments was undertaken, the object of which was to determine the frequency of invasion of the regional lymphatics and the general circulation following inoculation in the scrotum or testicles and how soon a self-sustaining generalized infection might be established.
Time and Frequency of Invasion of Regional Lymphatics.- An examination was made of the inguinal lymphnodes in a series of 29 rabbits which had been inoculated by the introduction of a bit of infected tissue beneath the skin of the scrotum. The nodes were excised under ether anesthesia at intervals of from 61 days down to 48 hours after inoculation and the presence or absence of Treponema pallidurn determined by dark field examination or by animal inoculation.
The first group of nodes studied included those showing well marked enlargement and induration and these gave positive results in all cases. Nodes were then taken 5 days after inoculation and after the lapse of only 48 hours. Positive results were again obtained in all cases.
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