Rheumatism according to the clinic

In view of the fact that, according to a number of authors, previous infections are of great importance in the onset of rheumatic disease, it seemed interesting to us to trace anamnestic data regarding previous infections in 3 groups of our rheumatic patients: 1) in a group with only joint disease but no endocardial involvement (no valve malformations), 2) in a group with clearly expressed valve changes and with joint disease either previously suffered or developed by the time of admission to the clinic, and finally, 3) in a group of patients with valve malformations but no history of articular rheumatism. In each of these groups the rheumatic process took a special, peculiar course, and it was therefore of interest to find out whether different preparation - sensitization - by different agents was of importance.