Note 81 — Chapter VI · OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE DEATH OF THE LUNGS OVER THAT OF THE HEART.
F. Gold translation
It is inconceivable how Bichat could think of confirming his opinion by the example of hydrothorax. Who does not know that when an effusion takes place in the cavity of one of the pleuras, that that portion of the lungs only which is above the level of the water serves the purposes of respiration; that when the effusion has arrived to the summit of the cavity, the lungs of that side, which can no longer dilate, are of no use in respiration; and those of the other, being compelled alone to make the necessary modifications in the blood, must be traversed by the greatest part of this fluid? It is known, finally, that in this case the patient cannot lie down an instant on the sound side, because this position prevents the dilatation of the lungs of that side which alone serve for respiration, and the danger of suffocation is therefore imminent.