INCIDENCE OF BACTEREMIA IN THE PNEUMONIAS AND ITS RELATION TO MORTALITY

Abstract

The recovery of pneumococci from the blood stream during the course of pneumococcic pneumonia may be prima facie evidence that the protective mechanism which prevents or overcomes bacteremia is at least partially in abeyance. Whether recovery or death will be the outcome in pneumococcic pneumonia depends to a great extent on whether the protective mechanism alone, or aided by serum, suffices to prevent an increase in the number of organisms or to clear the blood of pneumococci after it has been invaded. During the past seven and a half years we have regularly taken blood cultures in our study of pneumonia at Harlem Hospital. We have selected for presentation the results of our work during the years between July 1, 1928, and June 30, 1933, because: (1) Rosenblüth¹ has already presented our material with respect to bacteremia during the first two years, and (2) during this later five year