This book is written for the patient and the general practitioner and, throughout, a spirit of hope and optimism prevails. The rheumatoid conditions are included under the term fibrositis, coined by Sir William Gowers to describe the inflammatory changes and reactions in the white fibrous tissue of the affected structures, and include "that somewhat motley array of affections which have been variously labeled lumbago, wry neck, neuritis, neuralgia, sciatica, etc." Chronic arthritis is divided into three types in accordance with the classic studies of Nichols and Richardson and the later researches of Cecil, Pemberton, Stoner and others: (1) chronic infectious (proliferative, rheumatoid, atrophic); (2) chronic degenerative (traumatic, hypertrophic, ostearthritic); (3) metabolic (gout). The mixed types (1 and 2) are more difficult of explanation. The economic aspects of this most disabling disease are stressed and a plea is made for a more extensive program of education and prevention as well as