PRIMARY AMYLOIDOSIS: REPORT OF A CASE*

ONLY in recent years has there been some unanimity of opinion in regard to the classification of amyloid disease which is divided into primary amyloidosis, secondary amyloidosis, amyloid associated with multiple myelomata and tumor-like formation. Primary amyloidosis is subdivided into the systemic and localized types in which some variation occurs. It was first described in 1856 by Wilks,1 but is still poorly understood, and of unknown etiology. In 1936 Kerwin2 reported two cases and in 1939 Koletsky and Stecher3 made a comprehensive review of the literature noting some 30 cases, 22 of which were of the systemic type. They also added one of their own. Their series did not include the case of Larsen4 or that of Budd,5 nor the two cases reported by Kerwin.2 Since then single cases have been reported by Binford,6 and by Sappington, Davie and Horneff.7 Pear-son, Rice and Dickens8 have reported two cases and Dillon and Evans 9 three cases, making a total of 44 cases. Considerable emphasis has been placed on the tendency of primary amyloido