[Acute paraffin oil pneumopathies. Apropos of a case in a fire-eater]

A case of acute paraffin oil-induced pneumonia due to accidental inhalation by a fire-eater of kerdane, a petroleum derivative is reported. The symptoms and course of respiratory manifestations of acute paraffin oil poisoning are reviewed. The physical properties of the petroleum derivative inhaled account for the pathogenesis of the pneumonia. Pulmonary lesions, usually fully reversible, result from the joint effects of an inflammatory phase with exudate and a proliferative phase.