THE RESPIRATORY RESPONSE TO CARBON DIOXIDE

Abstract

When air containing an increased amount of CO2 is breathed the maximum increase in respiration occurs only after the mixture is breathed for several minutes, the "lag" varying with the concentration of inspired CO2. There is little variation in a single subject but considerable differences in reaction in different individuals. The lag in response to CO2 appears to be due to the delay in saturation of the respiratory center with CO2 rather than to saturation of the blood.