ADVENTURES IN THE STUDY OF BREATHING

Perfect coordination is required between the amount of air breathed to ventilate the air cells of the lungs and the amount of blood pumped through them by the heart. Over-ventilation often accompanies severe emotional disturbances with far-reaching effects on the functions of the brain and other organs. Of particular interest are the effects of altering breathing upon angina pectoris. In conditions with under-ventilation the effects are serious because the carbon dioxide which accumulates acts as a narcotic on the nerve centers which control breathing. If oxygen is given to such patients they may be made much worse and become unconscious. Morphine and other narcotics also make matters worse. Under-ventilation in patients with over-distention of the air cells of the lungs results in a chronic form of carbon dioxide poisoning, so that the lungs may fail in ventilatory function. Recent work by Whittenberger has shown how to combat this situation by mechanical over-ventilation. As the excess of carbonic acid is removed the narcotic effect of the gas is lessened and the nerve center governing breathing resumes more normal operation under which the effect of oxygen is no longer deleterious.