Abstract
Reliability of a Monaghan (M 403) spirometer and a Vitalograph spirometer was evaluated in 46 children with subclinical asthma. As in previous studies of healthy children, vital capacity (VC) and the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1.0) were close to these of a Bernstein spirometer. Sensitivity of the spirometers and of 2 flowmeters (Wright''s peak flow meter and Airflometer-Glaxo) was evaluated in the asthmatic children after inhalation of salbutamol and the changes after inhalation were compared to those obtained in a previous study of healthy children. The simple equipment gave substantial information about the degree of bronchial obstruction. Additional information obtained by using simple pulmonary function tests forms a good basis for aggressive therapy.