Clinical Evaluation of Pulmonary Function

Abstract

Abnormalities in pulmonary function as measured in the laboratory are the earliest complications of lung disease; symptom expression and physical signs appear later as functional reserves diminish. Hence, diagnosis on the usual clinical grounds generally signifies an advanced stage with less chance for reversal. This paper is intended to show how the principles of pulmonary physiology may be put to greater use in the clinic or at the bedside.