The Washington times., 1919-03-30

BY the rays Il said By the authors to en-
able the doctor to decide when and what
operation Is necessary.
In pneumonia, the X.ray will show
whether It IL pneumonia with slow resolu
ti6n, new attack or q pneumonia pleurisy.
It shows the existence of a pneumonia
spot in the lungs, especially in children,
before the stethoscope.
The. X.ray has located q gangrenous
centre in the lower tWo-thirds Of the right
lung and made possible treatment by In
jections Of oil. This avoided q difficult
and dangerous surgical operation.
Cancer Of the lurg may be discovered
by the X.rsy, when without It the disease
could hardly be distinguished from other
conditions. Cancer usually shows as an
extensive shadow in the upper lobe Of the
lung. The lower part Of this shadow is
limited by q narrow line. The lower lobe
keeps its entire clearness. There is q
clear line Of demarcation between the part
which has remained clear and the opaque
portion Of the lung.
tuberculosis is more readily thought Of
In a patient who coughs, expectorates,
grows thin and Is pallid. The stetho-
scopic signs-abnormal breathing, In
creased fremitus (vibration) and dullness
on percussiOn-all point to tuberculosis.
Under these conditions radioscopie exam
ination is very important.
In tuberculosis there is not, as Q rule,
shadow with outlines as clear. Obscurity
predominates in the apex Of the lung and
then extends later in a diffuse manner
over the same or as scattered mottled
areas. 1t is rare, when the diseased spots
are fairly extensive, for the opposite side
to be absolutely normal. on the contrary
in the case Of cancer, aside from some
small glands of the hilus (root Of the lung)
which may become affected secOndarily,
the cIearness on the normal side is un-
affected.
Abscess of the lung is rare, but to de-
termne 1t radioscopic X-ray examination
is, Of unquestionable service. BY the bed
side this diagnosis is almost Impossible ex'
cept in exceptional circumstances. Patients
who are affected show sometimes very
marked intermittent fever, varied chest
symptoms most often without anything
definite, and a somewhat serious general
condition. An abscess usually IolloWs
pneumonia, broncho-pneumOnia or bron-
chial infection, the new symptoms are as
cribed to the primary injury and do not
attract any special attention.
Professor BARRON has observed two
cases Of lung abcess, and thanks to the
radioscopic examination he could deter
mine the location and intervene before
any cavity or complications. The first or
these patients passed as tuberculous had
grown thin, showed marked intermittent
fever, coughed, expectorated and at hrst
sight gave the impression OF phthisis. AS
he lived in the country no laboratory ex-
animation could be made-neither exam
ination Of sputum nor tuberculin test. K
ray examination of this patient made at
home by means Of a portable apparatus
showed an almost normal clearness Of the
lung areas with no obscurity Of the apices.
In the middle part Of the right lung area,
but a little nearer the base, was an abb
normal shadow, oval In form, the size or
q hens egg, and very apparent, although
its contours were q little diffuse. Dr. Bar
Jon was able to advise an operation on the
affected area and to determine the exact
place where the incision ought to be made.
Surgical Intervention demonstrated the
value of his deductions and brought to
light a somewhat deep pulmonary abscess,
which was emptied and drained. The pa
tient recovered.
Copyright 1919. by Star Company.