Form Of Joint Disease Research Articles

CHRONIC ARTHRITIS

Much difference of opinion exists concerning what chronic joint diseases should be included in the term chronic arthritis. There are the changes, mostly proliferative, which from the anatomic appearance might well be considered infectious in nature. The relation of an infectious process to the joints showing retrogressive changes in the bone and cartilage is not so evident. Nichols and Richardson, 1 however, noted a decided overlapping in these two processes. The question arises whether the various anatomic proliferative and degenerative changes noted in nonspecific joint disease may not be different manifestations of a common injury. The finding of an etiologic agent would help in clearing up the concepts of chronic joint diseases. If an organism could be shown to have an etiologic relationship to the various anatomic forms of joint disease commonly called chronic arthritis, experiments toward combatting this organism could be started. With these ideas in mind and considering