RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier (1743–1794) and the birth of respiratory physiology
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 978
OP 979
DO 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203840
VO 68
IS 10
A1 Karamanou, Marianna
A1 Androutsos, George
YR 2013
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/68/10/978.abstract
AB Background For more than 1500 years, the status of knowledge concerning the physiology of human respiration has remained almost unchanged. In the 18th century, the French chemist Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier conducted breathing experiments on human and animal respiration. Methods The main bibliographic sources concerning Lavoisier's life and work on respiration have been investigated and analysed. Results Using an ice-calorimeter, Lavoisier proved that combustion and respiration were one and the same. He also measured the oxygen consumed during respiration and concluded that the amount changes depending on human activities: exercise, eating, fasting, and sitting in a warm or cold room. Moreover, he found variations in pulse and breathing rate. Conclusions Lavoisier's work on respiration is of great historical significance as it represents the first effort to measure human respiratory gas metabolism contributing significantly to the development of respiratory physiology.