PYO-PNEUMOTHORAX, EMPYEMA.
Causes, septic cocci entering through wound or blood. Symptoms, those of hydrothorax, with prostration, fœtor, and it may be issue of pus. Treatment by antiseptic injections.
A purulent fluid in the pleural cavity may be found in ordinary pleurisy, but is much more likely to supervene in traumatic forms, in which the pus cocci reach the cavity through the wound of the bronchia, alimentary canal, or chest walls.
The symptoms are essentially those of pneumothorax, with greater prostration, and in certain cases a distinct feverish smell or fœtor of the breath, or the escape of pus through a wound. In treatment the difference from pneumothorax is mainly in the antiseptic character of the injections and the freer employment of stimulants and tonics. Salt, salicylic acid, borax, peroxide of hydrogen, aluminium acetate, or potassium permanganate solutions may be used. Tonics (quinia) and antiseptics (sulphites, salicylates, iron) may be given.