The case of the tussive thief.

To the Editor:— Transthoracic Perforation of the bronchial system by foreign bodies and missiles is an uncommon occurrence in civilian medical practice. In the following report, a case of bronchial perforation is documented. Report of a Case:— A 24-year-old white man was brought by the County Emergency ambulance to the Hennepin County General Hospital after having been involved in a gun battle with the police. This followed an attempted robbery of a grocery store. The patient was admitted to the surgical station on Dec 17, 1966. He complained of discomfort in the right side of his chest and shortness of breath. There had been no cough or hemoptysis. The history was unremarkable. An appendectomy had been performed in 1964 at the Hennepin County General Hospital. A chest x-ray film, made at this time, was normal. Examination upon admission revealed a well appearing, somewhat dyspneic young man. The blood pressure was