Studies on lung volume. IX. Patients with lung emphysema pulmonum

Abstract

Twelve patients suffering from chronic emphysema of the lungs were studied. All of them except Nos. 5 and 11 have also asthma but no determinations were made within 24 hours after an attack of asthma. Except in No. 5 no fine rales were present in the lungs. The technique was as described in previous papers. In the diluting experiments, full mixture was secured by constructing “mixtures curves” (see paper No. 4 of this series). All figures in this and previous papers are given at room temperature and observed pressure. The size of chest was determined as described by Lundsgaard and Van Slyke. The normal total lung volume was calculated as observed “chest volume” in maximum inspiratory position. The other lung volumes were calculated by means of the normal ratio of the different lung volumes (see paper VI). In the table the observed lung volumes are given in percentage of the calculated normal figures. The movement of the diaphragm was observed by X-ray. In all but two, Nos. 4 and 6, a diminished excursion of chest wall (procedure described in paper VII was found. In most instances a diminished excursion of the diaphragm was found (by fluoroscopy). Fig. 1, representing the conditions in Patient No. 1, typifies the conditions found in the majority of patients with emphysema pulmonum.