THE PROGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ECLAMPSIA AND ALBUMINURIA

Abstract

a very real disadvantage in the fact that the cannutila is very a1t to become displaced, especially in a restless child, and come out of the chest, pulling the drainage tube witlh it. This difficulty is entirely obviated by usinig a self- retaininig rubber catheter, which is either initroduced direct throulgh a very small incisionl into the cliest, or througlh a cannula, which is witlhdr-awn immediately tho drainage tube lhas been inserted. I have had an oval trocar and cannula specially imiade to eniable a larger catheter to be introduced between the ribs than would otherwvise be possible, but I am niot sure that this methiod l)resenlts anlv iraterial advantage over the method of direct introduction throuigh a-a small incision in the chest wall. Two other disadvaintages have beeni cited against this formii of treat- ment-lnamlely, that it is difficult to ensurie adequate (Irainage, and that after-tr eatment r equires almost coln- tinuouis supervision by specially trainied nurses. W ith regard to effitiency of drainage, we have not fouind the difficulties so great as wvould be thougiht. Irrigation of the cavity by Dakin's solution, two or thlree times a day, seemlls to soften or disintegrate those large miiasses of fibrin vhicil so often impede. the free passage through the tuibe.