1 Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and the Harriet Lane Home, Johns Hopkins Hospital
Previous studies of changes in lung volume with position in adults demonstrate the efficacy of gravity methods of artificial respiration. In the present study the ventilation was measured that could be achieved by changes in body position of normal new-born infants. In no instance was the volume of air moved equal to a tidal volume. The failure of this method to achieve ventilation in infants may be due to their shorter abdominal length and more compliant rib cage.