BEFORE the cortisone-ACTH era, salicylate therapy was one of the most effective means of managing rheumatic fever and arthritis. Because of this observation, the question has been raised as to whether or not salicylates operate through the pituitary-adrenal mechanism. The accompanying table is an attempt to tabulate the biologic similarities between cortisone and ACTH on the one hand, and salicylates on the other. It is obviously impossible to incorporate in a table the various shades of meaning and interpretation, and the limitations which characterize each report cited. However, the summary should provide a stepping-off place for those interested in the field and, further, might serve to stimulate others to delve into this problem who have not been aware of it. It appears that the many similarities between the two forms of therapy might be more than coincidental and the evidence suggests that further studies bearing on this relationship are desirable.