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JAMA [April 18, 1915] notes per EA Pierce [15H1] Pfender's
summary of reports of 565 cases of serofibrinous pleurisy in the
literature since 1894, of which 424 were cured and 31 benefitted.
Continuing, "Fishberg says autoserotherapy appears to be worthy
of further trial. Considering that it is absolutely devoid of
any danger, that there have never been observed the slightest
unfavorable effects on the patient, and that it can be performed
by anyone who can make an exploratory puncture, it ought to be
tried in every case of pleural effusion in which the fluid is not
purulent. Indeed, inasmuch as in practically every case of
pleurisy showing signs of effusion exploratory puncture is to be
done with a view to determining the character of the fluid in the
pleural cavity, it is advisable, when the contents of the pleural
cavity are found to be serous, that the needle should not be
withdrawn completely but that, when its point is brought to the
subcutaneous tissue, it should be injected then and there. The
quantity of the fluid to be injected subcutaneously need not be
very large; from 2 to 5 cc is quite enough."