AN EPISODE of dyspnea with sibilant rhonchi is commonly referred to as asthma regardless of its cause. Although there are a number of different basic diseases that predispose to asthma,1-3 allergy,4,5 bronchitis,6-9 and particular psychologic states10,11 are among the most common. If the basic pathologic process is severe enough, the patient responds with asthma. However, if it is not quite that severe, an additional insult of an entirely different nature may bridge the gap to the threshold of an asthmatic episode. These additional insults, commonly referred to as triggers,10 include climatic extremes or changes,12 atmospheric particles or gases,13,14 bacterial or viral infections,6 emotional disturbances, meals,7 and pain.
By means of a specially constructed climatic room, a study was conducted to observe the effects of moderate extremes and changes in atmospheric temperature and humidity on a group of patients with bronchial asthma and pulmonary hypertension while keeping other factors constant or