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Edward N. Brandt, Jr, MD

JAMA. 1982;248(16):2032.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

He who knows syphilis, knows medicine."

When Dr Osler coined this axiom early in the 20th century, he, no doubt, was trying to impress upon his colleagues and residents the importance of medical knowledge of this once formidable scourge (see also p 2020). In those days, syphilis was the unchallenged champion of venereal diseases. Today, old and new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur with an even greater frequency and are represented by a broader range of clinical manifestations. Practitioners and residents well versed about these infections are an essential part of the front-line defense to combat the STD epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s. Herein are some thoughts about how we can work together to win this battle.

Historically, the availability of penicillin in the early 1950s led to the great medical advances in the 20th century. For the first time, physicians could safely cure infectious diseases, eg, syphilis, instead . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
Department of Health and Human Services Washington, DC

Footnotes
Address editorial communications to the Editor, 535 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610.

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