Pulmonary empyema historical perspective

# Overview
Pleural infection was first described by Hippocrates as far back as 460-370 B.C.
During this time open chest drainage was the sole treatment modality and was associated with high mortality. In 1873, Playfair gave the first description of a water-seal chest drainage system in the treatment of a child with thoracic empyema. In 1875, Gotthard Bulau a German Internist described the use of closed water-seal chest drainage to treat an empyema, as an alternative to the standard rib resection and open tube drainage. He punctured the pleura membrane with trocar and introduced a rubber catheter into the pleural cavity. The free end of the catheter inserted in a bottle one-third full of solution allowing pus to flow freely from the chest into the bottle. Closed chest tube drainage was experimentally practised during the influenza epidemic in 191719 when open surgical drainage was associated with a high mortality rate. This coincided with world war I and the resultant crisis of streptococcal pneumonia and empyema. Closed chest tube drainage became the standard of treatment from late 1950.

# Historical Perspective
Pleural infection was first described by Hippocrates as far back as 460-370 B.C.
During this time open chest drainage was the sole treatment modality and was associated with high mortality.
In 1300s, Guy de Chauliac also called Guido or Guigo de Cauliaco, a surgeon of medieval France, commented with surprise on the lack of ancient writings concerning thoracic wounds and the disagreements on the treatment of these wounds. Lanfranc of Paris, William of Bologna, and Roland of Parma advocated that open treatment of penetrating thoracic wounds using tents and drains allow blood and decaying organic materials to escape however, Henri de Mondeville was of different opinion that immediate closure of wounds helps to prevent heat loss and air entry.
During the early 1500s, Giovanni da Vigo, an Italian surgeon and physician of Pope Julius II, was one of the first surgeons to discuss firearm wounds to the chest.
IN 1873, Playfair gave the first description of a water-seal chest drainage system in the treatment of a child with thoracic empyema.
In 1875, Gotthard Bulau a German Internist described the use of closed water-seal chest drainage to treat an empyema, as an alternative to the standard rib resection and open tube drainage. He punctured the pleura membrane with trocar and introduced a rubber catheter into the pleural cavity. The free end of the catheter inserted in a bottle one-third full of solution allowing pus to flow freely from the chest into the bottle.
Closed chest tube drainage was experimentally practised during the influenza epidemic in 191719 when open surgical drainage was associated with a high mortality rate. This coincided with world war I and the resultant crisis of streptococcal pneumonia and empyema.
In 1950, Vincenzo Monaldi an Italian Pulmonologist suggested draining the thoracic cavity with a more superior approach at the second or third intercostal space.
The modern three chamber thoracic drainage system was first described by Howe in 1952 but not widely employed at the time.
Closed chest tube drainage became the standard of treatment from late 1950.