Pathologic Physiology of Polycythemia Vera

Some features of the abnormal physiology of polycythemia vera (Vaquez or Osler's disease) were studied in a case in the medical wards of the Cincinnati General Hospital, on the service of Dr. Mark Brown. REPORT OF CASE History. —The patient (No. F.9928), a well developed man of 62, was in good health until five years ago. While on duty as a policeman, he was struck in the abdomen with an iron bar. One-half hour later he became weak and helpless and was taken to a hospital. The following day the abdomen was opened and the peritoneal cavity was found to be full of blood from a ruptured mesenteric artery. His recovery was uneventful, and he continued in fair health with occasional attacks of vertigo and headache. Some of his symptoms at that time led to a tentative diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis, but there was apparently nothing to substantiate this. He