GOLD-HORMONAL THERAPY IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS *

SINCE the introduction by Hench 1 of cortisone and corticotropin to clinical medicine, the value of these agents in certain acute disorders has been widely accepted. Their helpfulness and, at times, lifesaving nature are recognized. When they are administered for short periods the problem of "toxicity " or adverse physiologic effects of these hormones is minimal and is usually greatly overbalanced by their beneficial effects. However, in the treatment of a chronic disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, where continued administration of the potent physiologic agent is required in order to maintain its benefits, the clinician is forced to ask himself the question: Am I likely to do more harm than good by using this drug? The American Rheumatism Association is currently conducting a rather intensive study of long-term cortisone therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Its data should be of great help in answering this question. Others are study-ing the use of cortisone, related steroids, and other drugs, in various com-binations and "courses, " in an attempt to reduce the necessity for prolonge