The nomenclatures in use in the United States for recording information concerning morbidity vary from simple alphabetical lists of diseases to elaborate classifications. The resulting confusion and multiplicity of effort have been due to the absence of any central guiding influence. Until relatively recently, the terminology employed in each new nomenclature has represented a personal and individual choice.
The system of the Standard Classified Nomenclature of Disease is the result of an effort to remedy the existing confusion, initiated by invitation of the New York Academy of Medicine March 22, 1928, and the formation at that time of the National Conference on Nomenclature of Disease, with membership representing most of the leading medical and public health organizations in the country. In addition to the Commonwealth Fund, which largely supported the undertaking, much credit is due to Dr. H. B. Logie, the executive secretary of the National Conference until the work