The unilateral occurrence of lesions has been rightly
considered a very important condition. It is evident that
the one lung which remains in a functioning condition must
be capable of hematosis. Radioscopic examination is there-
fore very important because it indicates the condition of
transparency of the lung. To be of the greatest value the
clinical and radioscopic examinations must be in accord.
If auscultation is negative and the screen indicates a normal
transparency of the lung, it may be concluded that inter-
vention is possible. If the radioscope shows abnormal
shadows which are added to evident stethoscopic signs, the
contra-indication is decisive.
If there is a disagreement between the two methods of
diagnosis, the case must be discussed. 1st case. The radio-
scope shows a clear lung but auscultation reveals the exist-
ence of signs by no means doubtful; an early lesion may be
suspected, still very questionable but with a progressive
tendency; it is a question whether intervention, by stimulat-
ing the functioning of the lung may not aggravate the lesions
and make the condition worse. It is preferable not to at-
tempt it.
2d case. The radioscope shows one or several abnormal



74 RADIO-DIAGNOSIS: PLEURA

shadows but careful auscultation of these areas does not
reveal any suspicious sound; it may be old cicatrized lesions
without any progressive tendency which are not a contra-
indication to pneumothorax.
In all patients in whom there is a question of interven-
tion by artificial pneumothorax, careful radioscopy is in-
dispensable.
The second question, whether pnemnothorax is possible,
is more difficult. In the first case the question concerns
the lung; in the second, the pleura.
