Using 5 cases as illustration, 2 with and 3 without the use of tracheotomy, the psychotraumatic effects of reanimation are discussed. The group of asthma patients who undergo this form of emergency treatment appear to suffer afterwards from a post tramatic stress syndrom.

This reaction follows a typical course as can also be seen by concentration camp or disaster victims and it shows many elements of the clinical psychiatric picture seen after cerebral traumata. In general, in the clinical literature one cannot find discussions of this phenomenon in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Diagnosis and treatment of the psychological aspects of this problem are discussed, as well as the specificity in asthma patients. The author concludes, that care should be taken that adequate medical and psychological guidance is given after physical trauma.