FREQUENTLY on our vascular rounds a debate occurs regarding the level at which an amputation should be carried out on a patient who has been admitted for treatment of severe arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower extremity which is complicated by varying areas of gangrene and infection. It is desirable to save as much functioning limb as is possible. It is also important that the initial amputation heal satisfactorily so as to avoid a prolonged hospitalization and invalidism for the patient who is elderly and who has other infirmities for which inactivity and bed confinement are detrimental. Predicting the lowest level for amputation which will heal in all patients is the ideal. This present clinical evaluation of patients treated by amputation for arteriosclerosis obliterans was carried out to determine, if possible, what factors may best serve to make judgment more accurate. Most of these patients were indigent and had a poor