THE WASSERMANN TEST

The following study was undertaken primarily to check the work and results in the laboratory of the Division of Venereal Diseases of the Minnesota State Board of Health. Because we believe that a state laboratory has a grave responsibility in undertaking the Wassermann test on the results of which treatment in hundreds of cases is undertaken or discontinued, every effort is made not only to rule out errors of technic but also to rule out wrong interpretation of results. We realize that many physicians still are inclined to diagnose positively and to treat patients on the basis of a single positive Wassermann test; consequently, we have urged repeated tests. Some physicians seem inclined to diagnose syphilis even on a partly positive test. To prevent this the state laboratory reports only completely positive or negative tests; all partly positive tests are reported "doubtful" and accompanied by a request for further specimens.