THE VITAL CAPACITY OF THE LUNGS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN HYPERTHYROIDISM

Abstract

While a growing number of reports indicate extensive study of the vital capacity of the lungs in cardiac and pulmonary disease, fewer are available in hyperthyroidism. In consideration of increased circulatory demands and cardiac stress, as well as the increased total ventilation of the lungs in hyperthyroidism, this report was thought to be justified. Frequent references to the reduction of vital capacity of the lungs in cardiac decompensation that occurs even before the physical signs of circulatory stasis have become apparent have been found. Since the work of Hutchison¹it has been suggested by Siebech²that the reduction of vital capacity is due to engorgement of pulmonary vessels with alveolar fixation; by Ulrich and Nathanson³that it may be present before signs of edema appear at the lung bases; by Burton-Opitz⁴that a marked decrease in vital capacity actually signifies cardiac decompensation; and by McClure and Peabody⁵and by Levine⁶