Strictly speaking the term, " empyema
thoracis", should be confined to the description of a localized collection
of pus within the pleural cavity. The early stages of bacterial invasion of the
pleural cavity and the consequent formation of fluid which is not localized by
adhesions must then be described by some other expression, such as generalized
or diffuse suppurative pleurisy with effusion. However, in this chapter, in
order to conform with common practice and for the sake of convenience, the
terra, empyema, will be used to cover all stages of suppurative pleurisy.
