Abstract
Exspirograms were measured by McKesson's Vitalor in 45 cases of progressive muscular dystrophy (Duchenne 27 cases, Limbgirdle 15 cases and Facioscapulohumeral 2 cases) and 59 normal pupils.
1) Duchenne (D) group showed a remarkable constrictive difficulty with a low mean value of %VC (70.4%).
2) D-group showed a high mean value of %TVC (94.9%) which was higher than that of normal pupils. This high average was proved to have no relation to the condition of disease or the value of VC.
3) %VC in D-group showed to have a negative correlation with the grade of functional disturbances in the patient's activity. The transformation of chest cage was connected with the low average of %VC.
4) The ventilation of Limbgirdle group showed to be slightly disturbed.
The low average of %VC with the high average of %TVC in the patients of Duchenne type is the most interesting point in this study which will be further investigated in the following series.
