CLINICAL STUDIES ON THE RESPIRATION. NO. 1

Abstract

Recent physiologic investigations have shown conclusively that the most important factor controlling the respiration is the reaction of the blood. Through the agency of the kidneys, which excrete nonvolatile acids, and the lungs, which excrete volatile acids, the hydrogen ion concentration of the blood is kept within the narrow limits which are compatible with life. A rise of the acidity of the blood above its normal level stimulates the respiratory center and increases pulmonary ventilation to such an extent that the tension of carbon dioxid is reduced and the normal reaction of the blood is upheld. Anything which causes an increase in the carbon dioxid tension of the blood results in an augmented ventilation of the lungs. Hence the dyspnea after moderate exercise, and the dyspnea produced by breathing an atmosphere containing high percentages of carbon dioxid. In the studies to be described in the present paper the fact