One hundred patients with polycythemia vera, observed since radioactive phosphorus became generally available in 1946, were analyzed. In a limited way the general symptoms were compared with those of 5 other clinics. In reviewing the panoramic array of symptoms, it was recog- nized that many clinical conditions may be mimicked. Neurologic, psychiatric, and vascular symptoms and signs were frequent. Constipa- tion, often severe, significant weight loss, and benign syncope were more commonly present than the recent literature suggests. Persistent pruritus, intensified by bathing with warm water, was the most nearly unique symptom of polycythemia vera. Each particular sign related to vascular congestion (visible or palpable) can be expected to be present in about 2/3 of the patients, and every one of the 100 cases at the time of the original diagnosis presented 1 or more findings indicating hyper-volemia and vascular congestion.