Crystals, joints, and consternation.

I have often imagined that nature is covered over with knitted material. If a loose thread can be located and pulled, one can see some of the underlying picture. With a bit of luck (and a research grant) one can, with the help of one's colleagues, continue to unravel the weave, row after row. Although none of us will live to see all of the picture, not even of a single disease, we may see enough of the process to intervene effectively. Control of uric acid metabolism has already conquered the gout and provides inspiration. Whether control of abnormal calcium crystal deposition will prevent the inflammatory and degenerative arthritides with which such deposition seems to be associated remains a source of consternation.