Almost any practitioner of medicine can easily recall some vivid example of syphilis that was cloaked with the symptoms of some other disease symptom complex. The disguise at times is so effective as to cause a great deal of distress both to the patient and to the attending physician as well. The case reported here illustrates a perfect imitation of diabetes by the spirochete.
REPORT OF CASE
L. R., a white man, aged 28, a fireman, reported for treatment, Sept. 28, 1927, because of having received an injury to his right foot on the 8th of the same month. Since the injury, which was caused by a radiator falling on his right great toe, the patient had experienced excruciating pain in the entire foot. Home remedies had been of no avail and he considered that the condition was getting progressively worse. His family history was negative for tuberculosis, cancer or syphilis. The patient