THE VITAL CAPACITY OF THE LUNGS OF CHILDREN IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

Abstract

As a result of recent investigations, the clinical value of the determination of vital capacity in diseases of the heart and lungs has attracted. attention, especially since this measurement is often found to be greatly reduced by various pathologic conditions of these organs. It has long been recognized, however, that in order for the determination of the vital capacity to be of any great practical value, it is necessary, first, to determine the normal relationship existing between it and other body measurements. Investigators, therefore, have attempted to establish normal standards for vital capacity based on age, height, body weight, stem length, trunk volume and surface area, but in most instances have neglected to determine the extent of normal variability. Since for any body measurement the lung capacity is known to show a certain amount of variability, it is clear that in order to detect abnormal fluctuations, the extent of normal