Account of a case of empyema, which recovered after repeated punctures of the pleural sac / [Theophilus Thompson].

  • Thompson, Theophilus, 1807-1860
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Account of a case of empyema, which recovered after repeated punctures of the pleural sac / [Theophilus Thompson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    appropriate treatment of fistula following empyema. Some practitioners have recommended the injection of various liquids into the pleural sac; but an ag¬ gravation of the symptoms has frequently been the result. In a case detailed by Audouard, an increase of the quantity, and deterioration of the quality, of the effusion appeared to be produced by injections, although bland and unirritating. Attempts to pro¬ duce cicatrization of the fistulous opening have proved even more detrimental; a truth well illus¬ trated by Wendelstadt and Audouard, and confirmed by the present example. Such fistulous openings, when left to themselves, may remain for years, or even for life, as occurred in the person of Dr. Wen¬ delstadt himself, in whom, after the lapse of many years, the cavity was large enough to contain a quart of fluid.* A suppurating cavity, when of long duration, will continue to secrete pus, and its walls will not readily adhere. It is therefore very desirable to promote the gradual contraction of such a cavity ; and this object was in the present case happily effected by the plan which Mr. Robarts judiciously conducted. I cannot close this communication without re¬ marking that it affords a striking illustration of the insidious manner in which empyema may occur, as well as of the precise and valuable diagnosis fur¬ nished by the physical signs of disease. * Bescliriebung eines Hydroth. Saccatus. Journal der Prac- tischen Heilkunde, Band 72, p. 72.