Since the publication of the Criteria for the Classification and Diagnosis of Heart Disease,1sponsored by the American Heart Association, and the pioneer work of White2and Wyckoff,3increased interest has been manifested in studying the etiologic factors operative in the production of heart disease. Authorities are agreed that the incidence of heart disease is increasing each year. Perhaps the pertinent point in stemming this increase may be elucidated through an examination of the causative factors. The value of the work of the committee that has advocated the publication of the Criteria for the Classification and Diagnosis of Heart Disease in directing current thought toward the consideration of heart disease from the etiologic, anatomic and physiologic points of view is becoming more and more obvious. The standards set forth by this committee merit adoption by all hospitals and cardiologists, thus permitting uniform reports of the incidence and