[THE DETERMINATION OF SEROMUCOIDS IN RHEUMATIC CARDITIS. (STUDY OF 120 CASES)].

Seromucoid values were determined in 120 patients with rheumatic carditis, aged 5 to 20 years, who were in the acute, subacute or chronic phase of the disease. The following results were obtained: (1) Seromucoid values were elevated in all 32 of the acute cases and remained above normal as long as rheumatic activity was present. (2) Seromucoid values were unaffected by cortisone therapy, unlike the sedimentation rate and the level of C-reactive protein. (3) Greater values for seromucoid were found in severe cases. This study suggests that seromucoid determination is a useful method for following rheumatic activity and may be of value in assessing the severity of the disease.