Pulmonary Function in Convalescent Poliomyelitic Patients

Abstract

WHEN function of the muscles of respiration is impaired by poliomyelitis, one of the primary problems in convalescence is the disturbance of the mechanics of respiration, caused in part by atrophic and fibrotic changes in thoracic structures. While the patient is being treated in a mechanical respirator a diminution of thoracic or pulmonary distensibility, or both, can be overcome by use of adequate pressure fluctuations in the respirator. However, such alterations in distensibility, when present, constitute a major handicap to a patient attempting to ventilate his lungs by his own muscular power.A previous report1 has indicated that the resting . . .