[Syphilis in 1987].

The author recalls the main features of primary-secondary syphilis observed nowadays under any climat. Still present and in more young people, syphilis is no longer the plague it was in the past centuries, thanks to a quick and efficient treatment: penicillin. In case of allergia, cyclines and erythromycin are used. Serological, reaginic and specific tests must be associated and quantitative. Qualitative serology exposed by crosses is obsolete and without possible interpretation. Modern American terminology of early syphilis has no other interest than the therapy which varies according to the stage of the disease.