The erythrocyte sedimentation rate in acute rheumatism as an aid to prognosis and treatment

Abstract

1.The crippling of young life by the after effects of rheumatism is stressed.2. The problem of suitable treatment on account of the obscure etiology are pointed out.3. The difficulty of judging the condition of a patient in the convalescent state is referred to.4. The sedimentation rate is studied with regard to its rationale, experimental methods and factors causing alteration in rate.5. The importance of the red blood count as a factor is stressed and a method of correction used.6. The sedimentation rates are expressed as a percentage and corrected to a standard blood count.7. The cases of rheumatism in which the S.R. was studied are given in detail.8. The use of the S.R. in the regulation of such cases is demonstrated.