CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF THE HEMORRHAGIC STATES

Werlhof1first published his description of "morbus maculosus haemorrhagicus" in 1775, but knowledge concerning the nature of hemorrhagic disease has been slow in advancement. Since his publication, many attempts have been made to segregate various clinical types of purpura and to define their relationship to a defect in the clotting mechanism. Although efforts to explain the many etiologic factors concerned and the particular defect involved have not been entirely successful, certain aspects have been clarified by recent contributions to hematology. In view of the additional new facts, the present discussion will be devoted to a partial reclassification of the hemorrhagic disorders and to methods of treatment. CLASSIFICATION OF THE HEMORRHAGIC STATES Hornung2in 1734 divided purpura into three groups: purpura simplex, febrile purpura, and purpura scorbutica. Since then from time to time various attempts have been made to subdivide purpura into clinical entities. Among these endeavors may be