Erythema Arthriticum Epidemicum (Haverhill Fever)

In January 1926 a small but explosive outbreak of illness occurred in a restricted area of Haverhill, Mass. Several physicians called by patients in this epidemic were struck by its unusual features, especially the abruptness of the onset, the peculiar eruption and the marked involvement of the joints. On January 22 we were called in consultation by the department of health. A preliminary report was made in February 1926.¹A complete bacteriologic report was made by Parker and Hudson²in September 1926. The present paper is a complete report of the findings in this epidemic. The only previous epidemic of a disease similar to this of which we have found a record occurred in May and June 1925, at Chester, Pa. Studies of this outbreak were made by Dr. Charles Armstrong³and Dr. Harold B. Wood,⁴state epidemiologist. In that epidemic about 400 cases were discovered