The Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Allied Disorders

Abstract

During the past century, the general improvement in living standards, and the development of modern medicine have eliminated infectious disorders as a major cause of mortality in Great Britain. What are described as socially induced disorders are taking their place. The increase in lung cancer, much of it almost certainly due to cigarette smoking is an example, but accidents, drug addiction and suicide are also taking an increasing toll, especially among the young. In our industrial society, traffic and industrial accidents are now the commonest cause of death among older adolescents and young adult males. The introduction of the breathalyser, and the setting of an upper limit to the permissible amount of alcohol in the blood was followed by an appreciable reduction in deaths from traffic accidents. The general life expectancy has been considerably extended, so that the great majority of people now survive to become liable to the chronic conditions associated with advancing years. Chronic bronchitis, coronary disease, stroke, cancer, and rheumatism are the most common of these.