RESPIRATION. 



done by strapping to the chest a rubber bulb connected with a re- 

 cording tambour whose lever is allowed to write on a medium fast 

 drum. A time tracing in seconds should also be taken. 



First record the respiratory movements while the subject is in 

 the recumbent position. Take the pulse rate at the same time. 

 Allow the subject to sit, and record the respiratory movements 

 again. Repeat the record with the subject standing. Compare 

 the rate and character of breathing, together with the pulse rate, 

 in the three postures. 



Compare the inspiratory phase with the expiratory phase. What 

 is the ratio between the two ? Under what pathological conditions 

 may this ratio be disturbed and in what way ? What is the rela- 

 tion between rate of heart-beat and respiratory rate ? Under what 

 pathological conditions is this ratio disturbed ? 



(d) Let the subject take some form of exercise for a few min- 

 utes, such as running up a flight of stairs. Record respiratory 

 movements again. Compare with other tracings. Observe rate 

 of heart-beat. 



(e) While a tracing of the respiratory movements is being taken 

 let the subject take several swallows of water in rapid succession. 

 While the swallowing is going on, what is the effect on the respira- 

 tory movements ? To what is this effect due ? 



2. Respiratory Sounds. Auscultation. In order to distin- 

 guish abnormal respiratory sounds in pathologic pulmonary con- 

 ditions it is necessary to be familiar with the normal. There are 

 normal individual variations which must also be taken into ac- 

 count. It is therefore well to examine a number of normal chests. 



(a) Vesicular Breathing. With a stethoscope, first listen, dur- 

 ing quiet respiration, at about the fifth or sixth right intercostal 

 space. A sound more distinct and of longer duration on inspira- 

 tion will be heard. The character and quality of this sound is 

 hard to describe. It is best compared, perhaps, to the sound made 

 when the leaves of a tree are stirred by a light breeze. 



What is the ratio of inspiratory sound to expiratory sound? 

 Compare this with the ratio of inspiration to expiration. 



[ J 49] 



