Incidence of rheumatic diseases in this country is so high that only a small proportion of cases come to the attention of specialists. In most instances responsibility for diagnosis and treatment remains in the hands of family physicians. It is of utmost importance, therefore, for general practitioners to have an understanding of these diseases sufficient to aid in preventing the dreaded physical and mental crippling which often result in poorly handled or neglected cases. In the past a cause of much confusion has been a complicated nomenclature and mysterious classifications employed for these diseases. Causes of the most important chronic rheumatic diseases still remain unknown, and consequently their designations and classification cannot be simplified. As a result of this confusion, roentgenologists report their observations in terms descriptive of altered appearances, but terms which they employ are often different from those which serve the practitioner in his daily work. Pathologists often