PNEUMOCOCCUS TYPE I PNEUMONIA

Abstract

The classification of pneumococci into specific biologic groups has transformed the medical point of view with respect to pneumonia. Formerly, the physician asked: "Is it lobar or bronchopneumonia?" Today, he asks, "Is it type I, type II or type III pneumonia?" This change in attitude is fitting and proper, for the etiology of a disease is of much greater practical significance than its anatomic characteristics. Furthermore, recent studies in this field have shown that the three dominant types of pneumococci are not only biologically specific but, in addition, produce more or less characteristic clinical pictures. <h3>PNEUMOCOCCUS TYPE I PNEUMONIA</h3> For the past ten years all cases of lobar pneumonia admitted to the medical wards of Bellevue Hospital have received careful bacteriologic study. During this time, 1,161 cases of pneumococcus type I pneumonia have come under our observation. In the present paper we subject this series of cases to clinical analysis