Ludwig Traube. The man and his space.
The detection of dullness to percussion in the left hemithorax raises the possibility of pleural effusion, consolidation, or atelectasis. Percussion of Traube's space, a semilunar tympanitic area overlying the gas bubble in the stomach, is a valuable maneuver in this regard: obliteration of Traube's space favors a pleural effusion. Knowledge of the remarkable life of Traube, and the ability to demonstrate the utility of his sign on rounds, provides an opportunity in a technologic age to remind the medical student of the romance of bedside medicine.
Verghese
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A
Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University, El Paso 79905-1298.
Krish
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G
Karnad
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D005858:Germany; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010474:Percussion / Q000266:history*; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine / Q000266:history*