Rapid Treatment of Early Syphilis With Small Doses of Penicillin

Since the report by Mahoney, Arnold and Harris1that penicillin is effective as a chemotherapeutic agent for early syphilis, the members of the medical profession have been eagerly awaiting appraisal of this drug. A subsequent report was given by Mahoney and his group2and a preliminary report by Moore and his associates3on the results of the treatment of early syphilis by members of the penicillin panel.4The panel, recognizing the necessity of determining optimal dosage and time schedules, assigned the University Hospital and the Cleveland City Hospital the schedules of treatment herein reported on as part of a larger investigation. Before participating in the studies of the penicillin panel, we obtained sufficient penicillin for the treatment of 10 patients with early dark field-positive syphilis in October 1943.5The first 5 patients received 400,000 units of the drug intravenously in