In what respects do the early (or secondary) eruptions of syphilis differ from those following several years or more after the contraction of the disease?
The early or secondary eruptions are more or less generalized, with rarely any attempt at special configuration. Their appearance is often preceded by symptoms of systemic disturbance, such as fever, loss of appetite, muscular pains and headache; and accompanied by concomitant signs of the disease, such as enlargement of the lymphatic glands, sore throat, mucous patches, falling of the hair and rheumatic pains.
State the distinguishing characters of the late eruptions.
The late eruptions (those following one or more years after the contraction of the disease) are usually of tubercular, gummatous or ulcerative type; are limited in extent, and have a marked tendency to appear in circular, semicircular or crescentic forms or groups. Pain in the bones, bone lesions and other symptoms may or may not be present.
What is the color of syphilitic lesions?
Usually, a dull brownish-red or ham-red, with at times a yellowish cast.
Are there any subjective symptoms in syphilitic eruptions?
As a rule, no; but in exceptional instances of the generalized eruptions, more especially in negroes, there may be slight itching.
Describe the macular, or erythematous, eruption of syphilis.
The macular syphiloderm is a general eruption, showing itself usually six or eight weeks after the appearance of the chancre. It consists of small or large, commonly pea- or bean-sized, rounded or irregularly-shaped, not infrequently slightly raised, macules. When well established they do not entirely disappear under pressure. At first a pale-pink or dull, violaceous red, they later become yellowish or coppery. The eruption is generally profuse; the face, backs of the hands and feet may escape. It persists several weeks or one or two months; as a rule, it is rapidly responsive to treatment.