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The polyarthrosis of the hand is a typical disease of the old age. Its banal form is more frequent in women, its erosive type in men. It can be demonstrated not only on the interphalangeal joints but on the metacarpophalangeal joints as well. The degenerative process of the basal-joints of the first ray of the hand is often seen in polyarthrosis. Most frequently diagnostic problems are caused by the erosive arthrosis however first of all polyarthrosis has to be differentiated from the p.c.p.

Authors determined in 282 individuals autoantibodies in 132 T and B lymphozytes. Theirs results were as follows: 1. The frequency of the presence of autoantibodies increases with age. 2. In the presence of autoantibodies the absolute T and B lymphocyte counts of aged persons markedly decrease; the absolute T and B lymphozyte counts of young adult people do not change by existing autoantibodies. 3. There is a significant difference between the absolute T cell counts of aged and young adult age groups, both age-groups having autoantibodies. 4. Comparing the frequency of occurence of autoantibodies in aged healthy persons and in aged ones with cardiovascular changes and being in the habit of smoking and consuming alcohole, respectively, a significant difference could be demonstrated; in the latter group the frequency was much higher.

Authors discuss hyperostosis frontalis interna observed in a large number of aged persons, on the basis of age and sex distribution as well as its clinical and roentgenomorphological analysis. In various forms of the ossification of the frontal bone no significant difference was found between the localisation of hyperostosis and the clinical symptoms. On other hand, there is a direct correlation between the extension and severity of hyperostosis and the frequency of occurence of the associated symptoms (obesity, hypertension). They found the aetiological classification more adequate than the morphological categorization of Moore. Their cases are discussed 1. as partial phenomenon of the Morgagni's syndrome; 2. as independent alteration, showing no other symptoms; 3. as transitionary forms inserted between the two groups mentioned above. They discuss also the question of senile, compensatory hyperostosis frontalis interna. On the basis of the study of a large autopsy material they support the opinion that there is a direct connection of this form with old age.

The fluorescence and thiobarbituric acid reaction of isolated beta lipoprotein (beta-LP) and alpha lipoprotein (alpha-LP) have been studied in young, old, and old hyperlipemic persons. Specific fluorescence showed no significant difference in the beta-LP of young and old individuals. However, the difference was signficant in the A:F 380:450 fluorescence (A= activation wavelength, F = fluorescence or emission wavelength) of the alpha-LP. On the effect of autooxidation the alpha-LP showed a significant increase in both the A:F 380:450 and the A:F 410:470 fluorescence. Absorption at 530 nm has been studied by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content has been given as microgram/mg on the basis of the curve obtained by the known quantity of MDA. The MDA content of beta-LP in the young and old groups was less increased as compared to the substantial increase of alpha-LP. As opposed to results obtained in senile persons MDA increase of alpha-LP has been significant in old hyperlipemic individuals. In addition to the absorption peak at 530 nm, characteristic for MDA, a peak at 450 nm has been obtained by TBA. A yellow-brown substance associated with hyperlipemia did appear mainly in the protein fraction isolated from alpha-LP and has been named protein III. During oxidation in hydrochloric acid a yellow-brown substance appeared from protein III fraction and became unsoluble and dark brown in hyperlipemic persons. The substance was considered as a precursor of the atherofluorescent component (AFC) present in atherosclerotic aortas. The reaction in the alpha-LP, and particularly in its protein component, with MDA (originating from peroxidezed unsaturated fatty acids) leads to complexes which are, assumably, precursors of atheromatous lipid and calcium plaques.

On the basis of the examination on a rich old-age patient material it may be established that. 1. Radiomorphologically the Forestier's disease essentially differs from the banal spondylosis. 2. Age is of particular importance in its genesis -- it is primarily a disease of old age men. 3. It is localized for the most part on the dorsal vertebral part. 4. As compared to the multiple radiomorphological signs clinical symptoms are, in general, neglectable. 5. Additional search for the relationship with diabetic metabolic disturbances in gerontological patients seems advisable.