Diseases of the Chest

shortened and the patient became disappointed. For this and other reasons it is probably best not to offer artificial pneumothorax as a substitute for bed rest but as an adjunct; to stress recovery rather than mere duration of time. Among other advantages are the following: As Compared With Bed Rest Alone—In the exudative case, bed rest should be instituted until localization occurs, when pneumothorax can be administered with greater safety. In other cases, pneumothorax may be attempted earlier if toxicity is not too great. If successful, pneumothorax assures a greater degree of healing and therefore a more permanent result. This constitutes the great advantage of this method over bed rest alone. As Compared With Pneumothorax in Conjunction With Closed Intrapleural Pneumolysis—If adhesions are present and can be gradually stretched so as not to interfere with healing, pneumolysis may not have to be resorted to. In many cases it is surprising how much can be accomplished in the stretching of adhesions. If, on the other hand, adhesions are not too extensive and are favorably located and the sputum remains positive one should not hesitate to perform intrapleural pneumolysis. Great harm can result from continuing a pneumothorax when adhesions arcpreventing a satisfactory result.