Secondary Period of Syphilis.
The secondary period of Syphilis begins with the first evidence that the syphilitic poison has spread all over the body, and that Syphilis from a local sore has become constitutional-blood disease. It takes usually about six weeks from the time of appearance of the primary chancre until the development of the constitutional symptoms. The very first symptom of the constitutional syphilis is a general rash, which has such a peculiar appearance that no competent physician has any difficulty in recognizing its nature. Together with the skin eruption, so-called “mucous plaques” can be seen in the throat, on the tongue, lips, etc. Very often syphilitics of the secondary period suffer from attacks of fever and get rapidly run down and wasted. In fact, an experienced physician can recognize a syphilitic by a peculiar paleness and general appearance suggesting slow waste of the body by some chronic poison.
The most common complaints in the secondary period of Syphilis are: Severe headaches and boring pains in the bones, particularly at night; different skin eruptions and patches of mucous plaques around the mouth or genital organs. These mucous plaques contain millions of active spirochetae, and for this reason the secondary period of Syphilis is the most dangerous period for transmission of the infection. The secondary period may last from a few months to one to two years, depending on the gravity of the case and the character of treatment.