This is a condition where there is air in the chest. It is a rare disease, and usually comes from an injury.

Symptoms

The disease comes on suddenly. The patient complains of suffering pain and urgent dyspnea. I have seen but one case, and the signs of distress were so tremendously marked that I shall never forget the man's suffering. He, lived only about twenty-four hours, and there did not seem to be anything that could be done for him. I realize that this was a very acute case. Other cases are developed where the accumulation is much more moderate and slower in developing. Where the distress is very great, trocar and canula. may be used to empty the air out of the chest. It would be well to put a tube into the pleura, and keep it there as long as necessary.