these bones, and at an equal _distance between the breast bone and 
back bone, taking care to avoid the under edge of the upper rib, on 
account of the blood vessels running in its groove. The length of 
will be required, either an inch or two higher or lower ine , 
troduced at the opening, by which the discharge will be more easily 
to time witha cork. <A pledget of emoll. 
‘over the wound, and the whole being seco 
bandage, the patient should be laid to’ 
thus taking it away gradually, all risk of injury may be avoided. 
In this manner any quantity of matter may be drawn from the 
chest with safety ; and the patient being now relieved from the great 
distress under which he laboured, the tube may be withdrawn, pro- 
per means being, at the same time, employed for preventing a relapse 
‘of the disease. BBs. 
When both sides are affected, and the serum is collected in both 
cavities of the chest, it cannot all be drawn off by one operation. Tn 
this case, therefore, after being drawn off from one side, the opera- 
tion should be repeated on the other; but some risk might occur 
from performing it in both sides nearly at the same time, by the ex- 
ternal air getting access at once to both cavities of the chest; for, 
with the Gtmest caution, it is impossible altogether to prevent the 
air from finding aeeess, either by the wound or tube, to the surface 
of the lungs; and if both cavities should at the same time be filled 
with air, the lungs would be as much oppressed as they were before 
with the water. Before proceeding to the operation on the other side, 
therefore, the. air received in the first opening should be expelled as 
much as possible, which may be done in this way: immediately af 
ter the tube is withdrawn, let the patient draw his lungs full of air. 
his will expel a considerable part of what was collected between 
ra and the lungs, by the incision; and if the skin, 1 
ed before the operation, be instantly drawa over | 
and 
