Showing papers in "Irish Journal of Medical Science in 1933"

Artificial pneumothorax and pregnancy

Abstract: 1. We record the case of a successful pregnancy in a patient undergoing treatment by artificial pneumothorax for pulmonary tuberculosis. 2. It is most important that whenever pulmonary tuberculosis is suspected during pregnancy or after the puerperium an early diagnosis should be made with the object of instituting collapse therapy before the lesions have become extensively bilateral. 3. We do not recommend that a phthisical woman should ever become pregnant, but if the patient rejects this advice this record suggests that there may be advantages in allowing the pregnancy to occur while artificial pneumothorax is maintained, rather than waiting till re-expansion is permitted. There isa priori support for this contention, but the question cannot be decided without further evidence.

The occurrence of diphtheria in “immunised” persons

Abstract: 1. 78 cases are dealt with. These occurred among a group of 8,027 immunised children (6,878 fully and 1,149 partially immunised). 2. Of this number in 33 instances the diagnosis was not confirmed in hospital (42.3 per cent.). 3. In 18 instances treatment was incomplete or the “latent period” had not expired. 4. In 27 cases the necessary conditions for the development of immunity had been fulfilled. Of these, in 9 instances the diagnosis was extremely doubtful and doubtful in 4 others. Of the remaining 14 cases, 12 had not been Schick-tested after treatment. 5. Diphtheria was reported in 7 known Schick-negative reactors (2 primary and 5 secondary), but in 5 of the cases the diagnosis was extremely doubtful. 619 6. Two negative reactors (both secondary) developed definite diphtheria. 7. With two exceptions the response to antitoxin treatment in the “immunised” cases was rapid and complications occurred in only one instance (in the form of cardiac irregularity). 8. In all cases recovery was eventually complete.