The spirochete pallida varies much in length-from 4 to 14 micra; its thickness is one-half micron or less. The ends are pointed; it is actively motile, and a flagellum at each end has been described. The spiral turns number from 5 to 15; they are steep, short and very close together. The form is most often that of a straight spirillum, but frequently many variously bent forms show its flexibility. So far, it has not been possible to cultivate it. It stains very feebly with the usual aniline dyes. It does not stain by Gram's method. Most observers have obtained the best results with Giemsa's stain, applied for many hours; but good results can be had with aniline gentian violet, saturated watery or carbolic gentian violet and carbolic fuchsin in a much shorter time. I have had very good results with warm carbolic crystal violet solution in a few minutes. Several observers have recently shown that good results can be had with the ordinary eosin-methylene-blue solutions, in a very short time. In some of the methods the stained spirochetæ soon lose their stain. This property of feeble staining accounts for its late discovery. The organism can be seen unstained in the hanging drop, but only with difficulty.

It has been found that they divide, not by transverse division, but by longitudinal splitting. Many observers hold the opinion that it is not a bacterium, but a protozoön.

It can usually, but not always, be found in the primary lesion, and in condylomata; the lesion is washed with water, scraped with a knife, and the material spread on covers or slides; fix in absolute alcohol or methyl alcohol for a few minutes, then stain with any of the above-mentioned stains. From papules it can be obtained by squeezing the affected area with dressing forceps, making an incision, and spreading the escaping serum. Another way is to blister an area of skin on which papules are present, with ammonia water or chloroform, and to examine the fluid thus obtained. The spirochete pallida is not found in blisters raised on unaffected skin. It has been found in the

primary and secondary lesions, and in the lymph nodes and the blood in the secondary stages. Recently it has also been found in tertiary lesions. It has been found in cases of syphilis of some years' standing.

The spirochete pallida has been found in the lesions produced by inoculating apes with syphilitic material by Metschnikoff and others.

In congenital syphilis it has been found in skin lesions, in the blood, and in the internal organs, especially the liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys, and adrenals.

In sections it was first stained by Herxheimer and Hübner, by means of Nile blue. Bertarelli and others showed the spirochete pallida in sections by using Van Ermengem's method of flagella-staining. We owe to Levaditi a modification of the method of Bertarelli, by which excellent results are easily. obtained. For demonstrating the spirochete in tissues, the organs from cases of congenital syphilis are best, because they often contain them in great numbers.

Levaditi published his method in the "Annales de l'Institut Pasteur," Vol. 20, No. 1, and is as follows:

1. Fix small pieces, 1 to 2 mm. thick, in 10 per cent formaline for twenty-four hours.

2. Wash in water a few minutes; harden in 95 per cent alcohol for twenty-four hours.

3. Wash in distilled water until pieces sink.

4. Place in 2 to 3 per cent solution of silver nitrate for three to five days at 38° C.

5. Wash in water briefly, place in the following solution. for twenty-four to forty-eight hours: pyrogallic acid, 2 to 4 grams; formaline, 5 c.c.; distilled water, 100 c.c.

6. Wash in water, dehydrate in alcohol, imbed in paraffin. 7. The sections should not be thicker than five micra, and may be examined without further staining. The spirochete

pallida is stained very distinctly, brown or black. A nuclear stain may be used in addition, such as Giemsa's stain or toluidine blue.

I obtained from Dr. Thomas, of the Obstetrical Out-clinic, a macerated five months' fetus, whose mother gave an obscure history of syphilis, and impregnated pieces of lung, spleen and liver by the method above given. The results were excellent.

In the liver sections the spirochetæ were present in such great numbers that the black swarms about the vessels can be seen even with the half inch lens. With the one-fourth inch lens the individual spirochetæ can be distinctly seen. the oil lens they are, of course, seen much better, and the curves can be seen and followed very clearly. In the blood are seen only a few; there are a great many in the walls of the arteries, and especially of the veins. They are seen in greatest numbers in the connective tissue about the veins. Sometimes they are found in such great numbers so close together that individuals can not be made out. Levaditi believes that this is an evidence of agglutination. From the perivascular tissue they spread into the parenchyma, where they are found in and between the cells.

In the lung they are present in much smaller numbers, again in the vessel walls, and the perivascular tissue, only a few in the air spaces.

In the spleen they are also seen in great numbers, most numerous about the veins, but also evenly scattered through the tissue.

Their presence in such great numbers in the internal organs, especially the liver, would lead to the conclusion that they are carried by the blood, which brings them from the placenta.

Although so great an authority as Metschnikoff believes that syphilis is a spirillosis produced by the spirochete pallida, it must be admitted that this has not been positively proven. It

is rendered very probable by the facts of finding it in the lesions in apes, produced by inoculation. Their presence in such great numbers in the internal organs in congenital syphilis, and in the blood of these cases during life, also is a strong argument in favor of the spirochete.

But there is another candidate in the field, a small flagellate, described by Siegel under the name of cytoryctes luis. These are round or oval bodies, to 2 micra in size, actively motile, possessing flagella on one or both ends. They are found in the blood, and in the fluid of syphilitic lesions. They are found only in cases of syphilis; even in old cases they have been seen. They are readily stained by borax-methylene blue, applied for ten minutes. Siegel has inoculated apes, rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice with syphilitic blood and emulsions of syphilitic lesions, and produced papules and ulcers at the site of the injection, and in distant parts. These commenced to appear in from ten to thirty days. The blood and all the organs and the lesions contained the cytoryctes. Siegel, therefore, believes that the latter is the cause of syphilis. His observations have been confirmed by competent observers.

Attention was called to the fact that the spirochete pallida differs from other spirochetæ in some particulars, and that, consequently, it should not be called a spirochete. It is different by keeping a spiral form at all times, even when at rest, by having flagella, and by the absence of an undulating membrane.

Schaudinn himself accepted Vuillemin's suggestion to call it spironema pallidum. But when it was found that this name had already been given to a flagellate, he changed the name again, and called it treponema pallidum. This accounts for the fact that in the literature most writers use the name spirochete pallida, while a few use the other names.

NEWS OF THE SCHOOL.

The President and Fellows of Harvard College have appointed Dr. Robert J. Terry a Teaching Fellow in Histology for one year, beginning September 1, 1906. This is a high honor and distinction and a coveted privilege. It affords an unbroken opportunity for research work and the acquirement of perfected methods of teaching. Therefore, we congratulate Dr. Terry and ourselves. Dr. Terry remains with us as Professor and Director of the Anatomical Laboratory. During his absence, on furlough, the work will be conducted by an enlarged able staff under the Doctor's supervision and control.

Dr. Wm. H. Warren is at work in the Physiological Laboratory of Professor Kossel at the University of Heidelberg, and will return to his post in the fall.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ENDOWMENT FUND.

SAINT LOUIS, February 12, 1906.

To the Members of the Alumni Association,

Medical Department, Washington University: GENTLEMEN-We, the undersigned, beg to submit the subjoined proposition for your serious and earnest consideration. We feel an effort should be made to enlist the interest of our alumni in the workings of the Medical Department. The near future promises very material aid on the part of the University for the Medical Department. It is believed by us that the interests of the school and its beneficial work can be very much enhanced by placing the students of the first two years in a building to be erected upon the University grounds at Skinker Road. In order to stimulate the University in its aid to the Medical Department we believe the Alumni should take an