THE ADRENOCORTICAL steroids have attained a prominent position in the medical treatment of a number of diseases, however their ultimate value in certain conditions remains to be determined. The rationale for their use as replacement therapy in Addison's disease and in congenital virilizing adrenocortical hyperplasia is well founded. Their application as anti-inflammatory agents is wide-spread and under some circumstances, as in ocular diseases, it appears that they are clearly beneficial in the preservation of structure and function of some vital organs. They have modified the course of rheumatoid arthritis, but in the opinion of some have not completely replaced older forms of treatment.