PULMONARY ATELECTASIS AND RESPIRATORY FAILURE

Abstract

In an earlier publication, I1described the abrupt onset of respiratory embarrassment in cases of caseous pneumonic phthisis complicated by sudden atelectasis. Observation of a large number of severe and extensive cases of acute phthisis has convinced me that this complication is not the exception, but rather the rule, in such severe processes of the lungs. To illustrate the extent to which such conditions may progress, a case is here presented which is only one of many such observations. This particular case was chosen because it shows atelectasis of an entire lung which cleared up ultimately, in spite of catastrophic progress of the process itself. Furthermore, since this patient died of a miliary dissemination shortly afterward, an opportunity was afforded to check up on the pathologic changes. The patient, J. G., aged 25, a bank clerk, became ill suddenly about six weeks previous to his admission, in the first