[341] G. Bernhard, “The Criminal Law and Protective Measures against Venereal Diseases,” ibid., pp. 253-273.
[342] F. von Liszt, “Legal Protection against Dangers to Health from Venereal Diseases,” published in The Journal for the Suppression of Venereal Diseases, 1903, vol. i., pp. 1-25.
[343] Von Bar, “The Need for a Special Law against Blameworthy Venereal Infection,” ibid., pp. 64-72.
[344] R. Schmölder, “Criminal and Civil Juridicial Significance of Venereal Diseases,” ibid., pp. 73-106.
[345] Albert Reibmayr, “The Immunization of Families by Inheritable Diseases (Tuberculosis, Lues, Mental Disorders),” p. 17 (Leipzig and Vienna, 1899).
[346] This conception of “partial syphilization” of our race appears somewhat vague. If we take care to think clearly, and in terms of exact biological knowledge, we shall see that—apart from a spontaneous loss of intensity on the part of the syphilitic virus (of which we have no precise knowledge whatever)—the only known way of accounting for syphilis having become milder is by natural selection, by the death of those who suffered most severely from the disease. Now, in 400 years, ten or twelve human generations, there has hardly been time for the development of immunity to a disease to which at most a small fraction only of the population has ever been exposed. It appears to me, however, that we may reasonably doubt the alleged decline in the severity of syphilis. It must be remembered that the entire absence of mercurial treatment at first, and the misuse of that specific for many years after its value had been proved, will account for much in respect of the apparent greater virulence of medieval as compared with modern syphilis. (See also [p. 356], and [footnote] to that page referring to the writings of Archdall Reid).—Translator.
[347] Alfred Fournier, “The Treatment and Prophylaxis of Syphilis.” One vol. Rebman, London.
[348] Cf. Iwan Bloch, “Personal Reminiscences of my Lecturing Journey this Year,” published in Medizinische Klinik, 1906, No. 10.
[349] Hermann is a fanatical medical opponent of mercury. There are, in fact, such oddities. They are very rare birds in the medical world.
[350] Recently R. Kaufmann has collected in a small readable essay the scientific views of the present day, “The Therapeutic Use of Mercury” (Leipzig, 1906). I warmly recommend this book to all who are interested in the question.