[Pneumopathies in drug addicts]

Drug-addicts frequently suffer from pulmonary diseases, particularly those who practice self-injection of the drugs intravenously. Emphasis is at present laid on the various excipients which are thought to induce acute alveolitis with subsequent acute pulmonary oedema in heroin-addicts. It has also been suggested that the deep ventilatory depression that precedes pulmonary oedema may play a part and this is interesting since the depression can now be prevented with naloxone. Infectious lesions, such as septic pulmonary embolism or endocarditis, are easier to explain. The ever increasing use of tablets crushed for injection is responsible for peri-arteriolar granulomas of the lung with possibly severe sequelae. Finally, the almost generalized consumption of marihuana in the United-States has led to the discovery of new properties of this drug, including ventilatory stimulation and broncho-dilatation. However, this is mostly of theoretical interest. The psychotropic effects of marihuana and its irritant effect on the bronchi when inhaled make it unlikely that it will be ever be used for therapeutic purposes.