Samuel F. Haines

Oxygen treatment with special reference to treatment of complications incident to goiter

Abstract We believe that the therapeutic administration of oxygen by means of the chamber or tent is most helpful in a restricted group of cases, such as postoperative pulmonary edema, bronchopneumonia, and respiratory obstruction. The patients who show most marked benefit are those with evidence of anoxemia, or of impending anoxemia. Treatment should be begun as early as is possible, as in many instances the progress of pulmonary edema to pneumonia probably can be averted. Treatment should be continuous, or as nearly continuous as possible, until the pathologic process is well controlled. Binger and others have called attention to the deleterious effects of oxygen concentrations of 70 per cent or more. We have not raised the oxygen above 60 per cent for more than a few hours at a time. From these concentrations we have not seen harmful effect. Treatment with oxygen can be carried out more efficiently in oxygen chambers than in oxygen tents, although excellent results can be obtained in tents properly manipulated. We do not know that the life of any individual patient has been saved by oxygen treatment; however, we believe that at least an occasional patient is saved when marked lowering of the temperature and increased comfort can be secured in such a large series of patients who are seriously ill. Our results not only warrant the continuation of this method of treatment but indicate the advisability of more general adoption of efficient methods of the administration of oxygen in those diseases known to be benefited by its use. The patients who obtain the greatest benefit are those with postoperative pulmonary edema, bronchopneumonia, or respiratory obstruction accompanied by cyanosis or impending cyanosis.

Value of oxygen treatment after thyroidectomy

Abstract Oxygen was administered to patients having severe reactions after thyroidectomy, especially those with cyanosis resulting from pulmonary edema, bronchopneumonia, and laryngeal or tracheal obstruction. The patients showed, as a rule, marked subjective improvement. Usually the fever subsided rapidly. Pulse and respiration rates were lowered. Dyspnea was partially or completely relieved. It is probable that the development of pneumonia was prevented in many instances. The observations suggest that not infrequently death may be prevented by efficient oxygen treatment in suitable cases.