A comparative study of different methods of performing the Wassermann test for syphilis

Wassermann tests were performed by three methods upon 496 identical specimens from 477 patients. In the first method a cholesterin-reinforced antigen was employed and the first incubation was carried out at 37° C. In the second method a simple alcoholic extract was used as antigen, with incubation also at 37° C. In the third method this latter antigen was again employed, but the first incubation was carried out in the refrigerator for a period of four to twenty-four hours.

The last method proved more sensitive in the group of known syphilitics than the other procedures tested. Furthermore, a positive result thus obtained proved to be more trustworthy evidence of syphilis than did positive results obtained with the cholesterinized antigen and first incubation at 37° C.