1. By inoculating the scarified surface of both sides of the scrotum of rabbits with
suspensions of Treponema pallidum, 100 per cent of
infections were obtained on one side or the other.
Infection through the unbroken skin could not be produced. 2. By gland transfers from animals with positive local inoculations, 87.5 per cent of takes were produced. 3. These two methods were used to test the prophylactic value of 30 per cent
calomel ointment, (a)
Calomel ointment proved efficacious up to 8 hours after inoculation with
syphilis, (b) No marked difference appeared between the action of
calomel in a base of
lanolin and
vaseline and in a base of benzoinated
lard and wax. (c) Death from mercurial
poisoning was produced in rabbits by a single application of a large amount of
calomel ointment. 4. The method of gland transfers was used to test the sterilizing effect of
arsphenamine and
neoarsphenamine on old
infections in the rabbit. The
infection was completely abolished in every instance, whether by one, two, or four intravenous doses. 5. Natural spirochetosis of rabbits need not be a serious complicating factor in work on
syphilis in rabbits, for the following reasons. (a) In natural spirochetosis, the lesions occur on the penis and not on the scrotum. Gland transfers are negative, (b) A scrotal lesion can be produced by inoculation, but it can be distinguished from that of Treponema pallidum
infection by its course, (c) In studies of generalized
syphilis supposed to involve the genitalia, and in sexual transmission experiments, Treponema cuniculi may be a serious complicating factor.