Acta Morphologica 8. Supplementum (1959)

Proceedings of the annual meeting of Hungarian Pathologists and Anatomists. Hévíz, 1958. Pathology of the Rheumatic Deseases

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF HUNGARIAN PATHOLOGISTS AND ANATOMISTS Hévíz, 1958 PLENARY SESSION Pathology of the Rheumatic Diseases RELATOR : K. Farkas (State Institute of Rheumatism and Medical Hydrology, Budapest) Pathology of the Rheumatic Diseases Recent advance in research on connective tissue has made it possible to study the morphological changes occurring in rheumatic conditions with respect to connective tissue elements, especially to the intercellular matter (fibres and the so-called amorphous ground substance). The most important task полу is to integrate the data obtained in recent years from the point of view of rheumatism. The discovery of the Aschoff bodies represented a significant advance in the pathology of rheumatic disease. Then the allergy doctrine made it possible to approach the problem of pathogenesis from a new angle. Klinge (\yas the author to recognize the remarkable similarity of the morphological changes occurring in allergy and rheumatic conditions. The studies of Hench and Kendall directed attention to the pituitary-adrenal system, which is also in the centre of the so-called adaptation theory of Selye, according to which an increased output of mineralocorticoid hormones would be primarily respon­sible for the development of connective tissue changes. Sayers suggested that rheumatism would be due to a primary insufficiency of tissues against hormonal actions. The hormonal theories focussed increased attention on the role of the nervous system and soon it was claimed that a major group of rheumatic con­ditions, the so-called rheumatoid arthritis (primary chronic polyarthritis) was due to a neuro-endocrine disorder, the course and localization of which is determined by the autonomic nervous system. The emphasis shifted from the precipitating factor to the response of the organism. The various views on pathogenesis agree in attributing a significant role to the mesenchyma in the development and course of the disease. This means a close connection with the so-called hormonal theory, because hormones play an important role in the physiological or pathological function of connective tissue. Beside the hormones, the enzymes of connective tissue and of plasma seem to have a significant part to play. The enzymic or dysfermentative

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