ATTEMPTS TO REPRODUCE RHEUMATIC FEVER IN ANIMALS

Experiments have been described in which we attempted to reproduce in animals the lesions characteristic of rheumatic fever in the human. A large number of animals representing 7 species was employed. Among other materials, streptococci isolated in pure culture from the blood of rheumatic patients (proved to be so by biopsy or by autopsy) as well as whole blood, plasma, serum, pericardial, pleural and hydrocele fluid, filtrates from tonsils, subcutaneous nodules, lymph nodes, and nasopharyngeal washings obtained from such patients were used in a variety of combinations and with a number of procedures calculated to predispose the animal to the disease. A discussion is given of the criteria whose fulfillment is essential for the establishment of the experimental production of rheumatic disease in animals. Judged by these criteria, we have failed to reproduce the disease. This conclusion, we believe, holds true for all the work thus far reported in the literature.