Passive Collapse of Lung Due to Spontaneous Pneumothorax

were negative, thus excluding the above conditions. The Wassermann reaction was negative. Repeated examination of sputum (direct smears, antiformin method and guinea-pig inoculation) showed absence of R. tuberculosis. The fever and cough continued for one month while symptomatic treatment was given. On 22nd June, 1934, the patient complained of severe dyspnoca, incessant cough with a large amount of purulent sputum. Physical examination then revealed deficient air entry into the right lung without any change in percussion and vocal resonance; distant bronchial breath sounds with few rales were audible in the right interscapular region. There were no physical signs suggestive of a cavity. Skiagram (a) showed presence of pneumothorax in the right chest with extensive consolidation of entire lung and suggestion of a cavity at the apex. The temperature remained continuous thereafter with profuse expectoration which was blood-stained at times.