A COMPREHENSIVE review of the present knowledge concerning the hemolytic disorders has recently been presented by Davis.1 While many acute and chronic forms of hemolytic anemia can now be recognized as disease entities, in a large proportion of the cases observed here in recent years no familial factor, etiologic agent or hemolytic system could be demonstrated. This group of cases has usually been described under the heading of acquired hemolytic anemia. Dameshek and Schwartz2 have emphasized the acute and subacute course of the disease but have recognized more chronic forms. These authors were able to demonstrate isohemolysins in the blood of 3 patients,3 but the presence of such substances in the circulation, as determined by tests in vitro, must be a rare occurrence.4 Autohemolysins have not been demonstrated, though autoagglutinins active at body temperature have been reported.5
Further study of patients with acquired hemolytic anemia