Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Foreword / Julius H. Comroe -- Chronic bronchitis and emphysema- the search for their natural history / David V. Bates -- Changes in lung structure / William M. Thurlbeck -- Problems in interpreting common tests of pulmonary mechanical function / Jere Mead -- Changes in lung mechanics- pressure-volume and pressure-flow relations / Peter T. Macklem -- Changes in lung mechanics- flow-volume relations / Robert E. Hyatt, {et al} -- Spirometry- analysis of forced expiration within the time domain / Solbert Permutt & Harold A. Menkes -- Airway closure, closing volume, and changes in inert gas mixing / Ludwig A. Engel & Leon E. Farhi -- Changes in ventilation-perfusion relationships and gas exchange / Peter D. Wagner & John B. West -- Tests of airway defense mechanisms / Donald F. Proctor -- a1-antitrypsin deficiency and other genetic factors in lung disease / Charles Mittman -- Smoking- evaluation of studies which have demonstrated pulmonary function changes / A. Sonia Buist & Slobodan Ducic -- Air pollution / Benjamin G. Ferris -- Patterns of pulmonary function abnormalities in high risk groups / Harold A. Menkes, Solbert Permutt, & Bernice H. Cohen -- Acute responsiveness of airways in transition between health and disease / Roland H. Ingram & E.R. McFadden -- Reversibility of abnormalities of pulmonary function / Reuben M. Cherniack & Donal S. McCarthy -- Evaluation of tests of lung function for "screening" for early detection of chronic obstructive lung disease / Margaret R. Becklake & Solbert Permutt -- Editors' conclusions.