Destroyed lung. A report of cases in West Indians and Australian Aborigines

A series of patients with total destruction of one lung by bronchiectasis and a normal contralateral lung is reported. Eight cases were West Indians of Negro race and four were Australian Aborigines. The bronchiectasis appears to be of post-infective type and is related to the poor social conditions under which the affected people live. It has also been noted in other developing countries or in under-privileged races in developed countries.