The Application of Tests of Respiratory Physiology for the Clinical Evaluation of Pulmonary Pathology *

In view of certain recent developments in the measurement of lung function, it has seemed appropriate to attempt a review of these at this time. For the sake of convenience the function of the lungs may be divided into (1) ventilatory and (2) respiratory. The ventilatory function has to do with the mechanical moving of air in and out of the lungs, while the respiratory function deals with the diffusion of gases between the alveoli and the blood stream. We will consider these two divisions of function separately and will finally consider how they may be affected by certain changes in cardiovascular physiology.