Convulsion of the lung: an historical analysis of the cause of Dr Johnson's fatal emphysema.
Of Johnson's fatal emphysema, it appears probable, on available historical and anatomic evidence, that it resulted from bronchiectasis, a diagnosis favoured by the pattern of illness: a protracted and severe respiratory infection succeeded by annual episodes of severe winter bronchitis, remitting in summer, and culminating in respiratory insufficiency; and by the findings of pleural adhesion and cor pulmonale at necropsy. That is resulted from chronic bronchitis is a proposition both plausible and irrefutable without the specimen.
Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente.
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Reich
D004646:Emphysema / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology; D005197:Famous Persons; D049671:History, 18th Century; D006801:Humans; D008093:Literature, Modern / Q000266:history*; D008297:Male; D006113:United Kingdom