On the foetus in utero as inoculating the maternal with the peculiarities of the paternal organism : and on the transmission thereby of secondary or constitutional syphilis from the male to the female parent / by Alexander Harvey, M.D.

  • Harvey, Alexander, 1811-1889.
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the foetus in utero as inoculating the maternal with the peculiarities of the paternal organism : and on the transmission thereby of secondary or constitutional syphilis from the male to the female parent / by Alexander Harvey, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    of it, however, in tliis view, must be reserved till another question yet to be proposed comes before us. Nevertheless, to meet an exception that may be taken to it, it will be necessary at this stage to point out how the fact really stands. The reappearance of the syphilitic symptoms in the mother during a second or subsequent pregnancy, seems certainly to imply that she has received a fresh dose of the virus, and likewise that she has received it directly from and through the foetus. But it does not absolutely follow that in every such instance the foetus derives the virus from the father. In most instances it probably does. M. Vidal's case, however, is sufficient to show that it may derive it from the mother exclusively; and, in as far as it does, the reinfection of the mother comes remotely from herself. But this does not alter the character of the fact, or impair its value. Why, while long previously dormant in her system, the virus should thus again become active and reappear, we shall afterwards con- sider ; merely remarking at present that the like question may be raised, and admits of a like solution, in regard to the power of the virus when long dormant in the father's system to infect the child. 4. Another question still remains—Whether ever a woman derives secondary syphilis from her husband unless she conceives by him ? And the question to which this stands opposed is— Whether she may not derive the virus through the seminal fluid also, and indifferently at any time ? This question, which was suggested to me by Mr. Paget, as it was, I believe, to him by the perusal of my own observations on this subject in my first paper, is perhaps the most important of all.* Previously, however, to taking it up, the consideration recovered from her confinement, and the lochial discharge bad ceased, all trace of the syphilitic affection had entirely left, and she was so completely restored to health that I did not deem any medical interference necessary. She enjoyed excellent health, and made a good nurse, and she continued quite free from any return of the disease/or more than fifteen months, when she again became preg- nant. About two months after this occurred, a train of symptoms precisely similar to the first appeared, and continued as formerly up to the time of her confinement, when they again disappeared, as on the former occasion. The second child was also syphilitic.'' It cannot well be supposed tliat during the interviil between the two pregnancies, no sexual intercourse obtained between this lady and her husband till just previously to the second; aud that the relapse and the reimpregnation were merely coincident. * The alternative question might have been framed in more general terms so as to include tainted ^jroiputial as well as urethral mucous secretions, together, with exudations from vesicular or pustular eruptions on tlie penis. But I have restricted it to the seminal fluid in accordance with Mr. Paget's communication. I would venture to suggest, Mr. Paget wi'oto me, that you should try to] find whether ever a woman derives secondary syphilis from lier husband unless she conecives hy him. Facts bearing on this point might prove tliat secondary syphilis is not communicated directly by the seminal fluid, but by the child begotten with it; and this mode of inoculation being proved, would go fur to prove the foundation of your theory.