VISCERAL SYPHILIS:  SYPHILIS OF THE SPLEEN

SYPHILIS OF THE SPLEEN  Syphilis of the spleen, giving rise to symptoms, which is an exceedingly common finding in syphilis of the new-born, and a not infrequent pathologic finding in recent syphilis, is thought to be relatively rare in acquired syphilis. It is far more frequent in the earlier stages of the infection, occurring coincident with the general lymphadenitis, than as the later or tertiary form. The relative insensibility of the organ under normal conditions and the absence of symptoms referred to it, often when it is pathologically affected, make it seem probable that it is the site of disease in connection with syphilis more frequently than is indicated by the literature. Clinical syphilis of the spleen occurs early, in the form of acute splenic tumor with or without pain, late as interstitial splenitis, as solitary or miliary gummas and as amyloid disease of the spleen. In addition, the spleen