Abstract
The etiology of thromboangiitis obliterans has been obscure ever since the first differentiation by Buerger between this condition and other forms of peripheral vascular disease. Impressed by the inflammatory type of lesions seen in the blood vessels, Buerger<sup>1</sup>regarded the disease as an infection, but all the clinical evidence indicates that this conception is incorrect. Goodman<sup>2</sup>agrees that thromboangiitis obliterans is an infectious disease and holds that an attenuated virus of typhus is responsible for it.<sup>3</sup>Kaunitz<sup>4</sup>suggests that chronic ergot poisoning from eating infected rye foods causes the disease, and recently Thompson<sup>5</sup>has claimed that fungous infection (dermatophytosis) is the causative agent. The occurrence of the disease in smokers has been commented on by several writers. Erb<sup>6</sup>in 1904 stated that smoking was an important contributing cause of this condition. Lilienthal<sup>7</sup>noted this relationship in 1914, and Willy.Meyer<sup>8</sup>in 1920 expressed
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
