THE DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTIOUS HEPATITIS

Interest in infectious hepatitis has been greatly increased by the large number of cases occurring in our armed forces during the war. Whether there has been a corresponding rise in incidence among civilians in the United States is not known since it is not generally reportable; but it is worthy of note that a significant rise in the civilian rate has been reported in several other countries.¹We have already pointed out that this disease is more serious than was previously thought and have emphasized the importance of its prompt recognition and proper treatment.²However, the diagnosis of sporadic cases, especially the nonicteric types, offers difficulties not encountered during epidemics. Because of these difficulties we feel justified in presenting a detailed report of the practical problems involved in the clinical diagnosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Our experience, gained largely in the army, is based on the observation of approximately