Cardiac Pathology: Rheumatic heart disease: Mitral Valve

A 1946 autopsy specimen from a 35 year old clerk, who had had rheumatic fever at the age of 13 and was confined to bed with signs of mitral insufficiency for a period thereafter. Although there was improvement his activity was restricted and he was not permitted games. Five weeks before he died he developed an acute sore throat. He complained of general malaise and an increase in breathlessness. These symptoms persisted after the throat condition had subsided, but he did not report them to his employer for fear of losing his job. He died suddenly whilst seated in his office one morning.