The Prognosis of Angina Pectoris and of Coronary Thrombosis

For centuries the prognosis of angina pectoris has in all probability been one of the most important and difficult problems in medicine; it has certainly been such since it received its name 150 years ago. Although a few bold physicians have ventured to discuss the subject at some length, medical writers as a rule have dismissed it with the brief remark that "God alone knows"; and that is the sum and substance of the opinions of most practitioners with whom I have discussed it. This very spirit of fear and ignorance is stimulating. The fact that we know little about the prognosis of angina pectoris now does not mean that we must always remain in the dark. And, although we sometimes make glaring prognostic errors, it is certain that we can make reasonably accurate predictions also. To some these prognoses seem to belong to a hit-or-miss method, but I believe