RT Journal
A1 Barach AL
T1 OXygen therapy
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1939
FD November 25
VO 113
IS 22
SP 1981
OP 1981
DO 10.1001/jama.1939.02800470057021
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1939.02800470057021
AB To the Editor:— 
    The clinical lecture on oxygen therapy by Dr. M. A. Blankenhorn in the October 7 issue of The Journal is inadvertently and unfortunately misleading."Cyanosis is the main and only important indication for oxygen therapy in pneumonia." This opening sentence in the lecture does not take into account the fact that a grayish color to the face is generally indicative of the more severe types of anoxemia. Furthermore, in peripheral circulatory failure the capillaries of the skin are collapsed and a cyanotic hue may not be discerned in the presence of the most profound anoxia. In anemia there may be insufficient hemoglobin to provide a bluish color to the skin, although a marked decrease in oxygen saturation of the arterial blood may exist. Cyanosis may be considered a reliable indication for oxygen therapy in pneumonia only when it is present. There are other important indications for oxygen