Abstract
In the course of the work that has been carried out in this laboratory during the past 8 years, it has become more and more apparent that of the several factors concerned in determining the general course and severity of syphilitic infections, the spirochete is of minor importance as compared with the number of other influences, especially the factor of animal resistance. This is strikingly illustrated by the experimental infection in the rabbit which, as a rule, is comparatively mild but in exceptional instances may assume a more malignant form or persist in an active state with severe constitutional symptoms for months or even years and in the end cause the death of the animal.
Little has been known as to the nature or source of the forces employed by the animal in combating this disease but there is a great deal of evidence to indicate that resistance to this infection is a function of animal economy and is subject to the same influences as are concerned in the regulation of growth and development, and the maintenance of general metabolic activities. Moreover, there have been specific indications that resistance was influenced to some extent by the endocrine system.
This possibility was first suggested to us by the occurrence of marked seasonal changes in the severity of the disease but was most forcibly impressed upon us by the abnormal resistance displayed at times by pregnant and lactating females.
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