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1. In thirteen consecutive instances, individuals with acute thrombophlebitis were given ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy.
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2. In all thirteen, a rapid disappearance of pain and tenderness was observed, usually within twenty-four to forty-eight hours following a single blood irradiation.
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3. A drop to normal of abnormally high temperatures, when present, was found to occur within forty-eight to seventy-two hours.
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4. Edema subsided completely in twelve of the thirteen cases, the disappearance time varying from thirteen to fifteen days. In the thirteenth case, a marked induration was associated with edema and neither had disappeared when the patient left the hospital on the eighth postirradiation day.
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5. A complete absence of untoward effects in all patients treated was evident.
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6. Of the thirteen cases, five were good examples of the failure of sulfa drugs plus local heat, bedrest, and elevation of the affected extremity to control thrombophlebitis; four received only ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy and bedrest; three had failed to respond to local heat, bedrest, and elevation of the affected extremity; and one represented the absence of any effect, in fifty days, of four therapeutic nerve blocks to influence the disease process; an apparent permanent indurative damage had occurred.
