A simple and quantitative scoring system for evaluating shock was proposed on the analysis of signs, symptoms and laboratory data on 62 patients diagnosed as being in shock. Five clinical features such as systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, hourly urinary output, base excess and mental state, representing functions of vital organs, were graded into 4 stages. A score from 0 to 3 was given to the each feature, according to the severity. The summing up 5 scores was named "shock score." All patients showed a shock score of over 5 points with a mean of 8.0 +/- 0.3 (X +/- SE).