[Chronic suppuration of the breast]

We have found a series of 14 cases of chronic suppuration of the breast in 10 years in the Surgical and Gynaecological Clinic of the Salpêtrière Hospital. The symptomatology at the outset is usually innocuous, showing itself as a tumour that appears either gradually or suddenly. Diagnosis is not difficult and is usually solved by tapping the tumour. The progress of these lesions to become chronic with the formation of fistulae is the main risk, and the incident is not negligible. Thus the true problem is to find the correct therapy so as to avoid this possible unfavourable outcome.