SYPHILIS, NEITHER DEAD NOR BURIED - A SURVEY OF PSYCHOGERIATRIC INPATIENTS

Over a 5-year period, 3.8% of 423 psychogeriatric inpatients who were tested for syphilis had positive serology. Eight out of 14 received treatment, in contrast to previous suggestions that treatment was rarely instigated. Screening and adequate investigation of this population remain important, and we believe that serology should be carried out routinely in organic cases.