THE SURFACE TEMPERATURE AND THE MINUTE BLOOD VESSELS OF THE SKIN IN ARTHRITIS

Abstract

It is well known that there are two points of view in regard to the etiology of arthritis. One is that the bacteriologic focal infections are believed to be the usual source of the noxious bacteria; the chief exponents of this idea are American workers. The other point of view is based partly on the hereditary and constitutional makeup of the individual and partly on the nervous, gastro-intestinal, endocrine and circulatory disturbances developed during the lifetime of the patient. This theory explaining the etiology of arthritis is predominantly subscribed to in Europe. In September, 1930. at the congress in Liége, the council of the Ligue internationale contre le rheumatism emphasized the importance of circulatory disturbance in cases of rheumatic disease and subscribed to the theory that this is one of the essential factors in the causation and continuance of rheumatic conditions. (It was recorded as the official subject and recommended