Extragenital syphilis in physicians.

In reply to a questionnaire, 51 cases of extragenital chancres in physicians were reported by 32 contributors. Thirty-five of these lesions occurred on the fingers, six inside the nose, one on an eyelid and one on an arm. Otolaryngologists and medical students, interns and residents were affected most commonly. Examination of patients, deliveries, pelvic examinations, needle punctures and tonsillectomies seemed to be the most dangerous procedures in this regard. Since such lesions in physicians frequently are diagnosed as pyogenic or malignant lesions and so treated, the importance of a high index of suspicion for syphilis is stressed.