[An observation of the 24-hour variations of the F-V curve and FEV1 in asthmatics].

This paper reported 24 hours dynamic observation of the ventilatory functions of 200 asthmatics by using flow-volume curves. The results are as follows: 1. In most instances there were marked rhythmic variations of the ventilatory function. The highest value of them was recorded mostly at noon, while lowest value in early morning. 2. When the obstruction of the airway was worse, the rhythmic variation of the ventilatory function became more serious. 3. The diurnal ventilatory functions were closely related to the lower ventilatory function at night. 4.24 hrs variation of the resistance of the small airway were greater than those of the large airway. 5. Abnormal variation of the small airway resistance was observed in convalescent cases and one fourth of them had abnormal fluctuation of the large airway resistance.