RHEUMATIC MYOCARDITIS

Abstract
In view of the importance of this subject, comparatively little has been reported regarding the histogenesis of the typical cells of the rheumatic myocardial lesions first described by Aschoff.1On the other hand, many investigators have directed their attention to the etiology and specificity of the Aschoff body. Most investigators2have agreed that the responsible organism is theStreptococcus viridansof Schotmüller, and that the lesions are specific for rheumatic fever. Thalheimer and Rothschild,3however, report finding typical Aschoff bodies in cases of chorea without rheumatic history. So far as we are aware their findings have not been confirmed, although the etiologic factor is said to be the same for both diseases. Workers on the subject have either accepted Aschoff's original theory that the cells are "adventitial wandering cells," or they believe that these cells arise from the intramuscular connective tissue cells of the locality of the lesions. Aschoff (cited

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