The method of isolation of Spirochaeta pallida by means of the darkfield and a specific treatment for early syphilis have been available for more than twenty years. Yet even now, incidence studies1throughout the United States indicate that one half of the infected population neglect treatment until late or crippling manifestations force them to seek medical care. Therefore it is of paramount importance that not only the apparent late conditions such as dementia paralytica and tabes be recognized, but also the sometimes cryptic late conditions such as cardiovascular syphilis. The medical profession is well aware of the many cases that escape the clinical observation of the physician and all too frequently come to autopsy with undiagnosed cardiovascular syphilis. Every effort should be made to recognize the existence of syphilitic cardiovascular involvement while in the stage of uncomplicated syphilitic aortitis before the development of irreparable anatomic or functional damage to