Infantile syphilis -general symptoms Homeopathic treatment point of view

-JAHR Georg Heinrich Gottlieb

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We have already stated, in §§ 186-189, in what manner children may become affected with syphilis: (1) according to some authors, at birth (which we feel disposed to doubt, see § 213), while passing through the vagina and vulva where syphilitic ulcers are seated (syphilis adnata); or, (2) in consequence of one of the parents or both having syphilitic symptoms on the sexual parts at the moment of conception (syphilis congenita); or, (3) in consequence of father or mother, although apparently in perfect health, being tainted with latent syphilis (syphilis hereditaria). On this occasion we have directed the reader's attention to the general symptoms by which hereditary syphilis in distinguished from congenital syphilis, as well as from that which is acquired at birth; nevertheless, we deem it advisable to once more present a cursory view of the symptoms which characterize infantile syphilis in either of the above-mentioned forms. In general, these symptoms are no other than the various symptoms that have been described in the preceding chapter as belonging to the primary and secondary forms of the venereal diseases; in the first place, however, some of these symptoms are particularly proper to children, and others assume a somewhat altered form when

Infentile syphillis

manifesting themselves on children, be this owing to the greater tenderness of their skins, or to other causes. Usually the mucous membranes are attacked first, next the outer integuments, afterwards the lymphatic glands, and, lastly, the bones; sometimes, however, all these different tissues simultaneously. If the mucous membranes are attacked, we see at their openings on the surface of the body either protopathic or consecutive discharges, ulcers, even true chancres, mucous tubercles, fig-warts, and fungoid growths; in the glandular system we have buboes, enlargements, or swellings of various kinds; and in the osseous system we discover exostoses and caries, which, however, occur less frequently than other derangements. According to the results which diode and Bertin have obtained through observations continued for a long series of years, there have appeared: (1) chancres and other ulcers about the mouth, on the palate, tongue, shoulder-blades, umbilicus, labia majora, glans and extremities; (2) fig-warts and other vegetations, on the tongue, at the inferior commissure, in the vagina; (2) syphilitic pustules and tubercles on the head, chin, shoulders, chest, abdomen, labia majora, nates, thighs, and legs, arms, fingers, and toes; (4) vesicular eruptions on the neck and legs; (5) swellings and buboes on the head, neck, shoulders; discharges from the nose and vagina.

What deserves especial notice in this kind of syphilis is the peculiar expression of all these children from the moment when these syphilitic phenomena first make their appearance. The skin, especially in the face, loses its transparency looks dusky as if painted: the more this tint spreads the more marked it becomes. It is especially striking on the lower half of the forehead, on the nose, eyelids, cheeks; it occurs much less frequently on the more depressed portions of the face, for instance, in the inner canthi, the folds in the cheeks, etc. Even if this peculiar tint does not seem to extend over a large surface, yet the whole skin partakes of it more or less; the child becomes pale, of a yellowish hue, and the skin has a peculiar lack-lustre appearance, by which the syphilitic affection of such children, when seen at the breast, at once betrays itself. Sometimes this yellowish tint is so distinct that the skin seems covered with liver spots; most generally, however, the tint is not very striking, so that it would scarcely be noticed but for the fact, that it is almost always accompanied by the peculiar lack-lustre appearance of the skin. Usually this tint is preceded by a general pallor, and requires from eight to ten days for its full development.