Introduction Having delivered many dermatology lectures to podiatrists, its surprising how often the issue of sexually transmitted disease (STD) arises - particularly syphilis. Why? You may ask. Well, the plantar surface is a common place for the disease to manifest and so being alert to its presence can help make an earlier diagnosis and referral. The infection is caused by the bacterial spirochaete Treponema Pallidum and it has been a burden to mankind for centuries. The di