This name has been given to a nervous, painful affection of one or more joints that occurs especially in women, and may simulate an organic or an inflammatory disorder. It is scarcely a distinct disease, but rather a manifestation of hysteria. A typical instance is related by Nartowski1. The patient was a woman 32 years old, who presented herself on account of pain in the knees and weakness in the feet. The family history was neurotic, and the father had been alcoholic, dying of some obscure nervous disorder. The mother, who had been a niece of the father, had suffered much from headache, and had presented hysteric symptoms. As a child, the patient had been irritable and excitable, with a good comprehension and a good memory. Menstruation had set in at the age of 16, and was regular, without noteworthy discomfort. The patient was married at 23, and bore three