C 496 J 
XXIX. Observations on Air found in the Pleura, in a case of 
Pneumato-thorax ; with experiments on the absorption of different 
kinds of air introduced into the pleura. By John Davy, 
M. D. F. R. S. 
Read June 6th, 1823. 
I trust that the following case of pneumato-thorax, with 
the experiments made to illustrate it, will not prove un- 
deserving of the attention of the Royal Society, which, from 
its commencement, has warmly encouraged physiological 
inquiries, and every investigation directed to the improvement 
of medical science. 
Abraham Iredill, of the 7th regiment of Foot, aged 30, 
was admitted into the General Military Hospital at Fort Pitt, 
Chatham, on the 15th of January last, labouring under 
phthisis pulmonalis, and invalided on account of it. 
His disease exhibited some peculiarities, the cause of which 
was not discovered during life, the chest not having been 
minutely examined by exposure and percussion, owing to the 
severity of cold at the time and the hopeless state of the 
patient, evidently on the brink of the grave. He expired on 
the 11th of February, and his body was inspected the day 
following, fourteen hours after death. 
The right side of the chest exhibited a great degree of 
fulness, and it emitted, when struck, a hollow sound. On 
carefully opening the abdomen, the diaphragm was found 
protruding into the right hypochondrium, exhibiting a surface 
convex, and almost conical instead of concave ; and it was 
