Pulmonary Abscess Secondary to Pneumonokoniosis (Silicosis)

One case is reported of a lung abscess secondary to pneumonokoniosis in a 55 year old iron molder. The abscess healed after fifteen bronchoscopic treatments. Despite the contestations of the insurance carrier, The California Industrial Accident Commission recognized the industrial relationship of the abscess to the pneumonokoniosis, and awarded a decision in favor of the patient while the pneumonokoniosis was still in a comparatively early stage. This decision of the commission was in keeping with the most advanced type of preventive medicine, making it unnecessary for the patient to return to his former hazardous occupation, and allowing him to rehabilitate himself before becoming completely incapacitated.