The systemic phase of arthritis and rheumatic conditions has been overemphasized in recent papers, with the result that comment revolved mainly around tonsils, teeth, the gastro-intestinal tract and other possible foci of infection. Expositions have been presented of conflicting bacteriologic and serologic findings, of constitutional and endocrinologie hypotheses and, finally, of rigorous and often unbalanced diets. Little has been said about the joints, and still less is done for the joints in the management of arthritis.
A patient recently appraised the situation truthfully: "Why, you are the first doctor who ever looked at my knees! They pulled my teeth, took out my tonsils and gave me shots and diets, but they never bothered about my knees." As a result of her treatment this woman has a flexion contraction of both knees of 90 degrees and is totally crippled. With a little attention to the joints and with simple appliances this