Suggestions for the Treatment of Special Cases of Empyema by Thoracentesis and the Simultaneous Injection of Purified Air

A tracing taken with the cyrtometer at this time showed an increase in the size of the chest, and in its shape also, which approached to that of a circle.

Abstract

aged three and three- quarter years, was admitted into the East London Hospital for Children, under the care of my colleague, Dr. H. Donkin, with ob- vious signs of a large pleuritic effusion in the left chest, following an attack of scarlatinal nephritis; the heart was beating to the right of the right nipple.She was aspirated with a Potain's aspirator, but only three and a half ounces of pus (which was quite sweet) could be withdrawn.The needle was introduced a little below the angle of the scapula.There was but little alteration in the physical signs.During the next few days she lay on her left side, and had much distress in her breathing.A tracing taken with the cyrtometer at this time showed an increase in the size of the chest, and in its shape also, which approached to that of a circle.I