[Measurement of sputum viscosity with the Jenssen viscometer]

The authors measured the viscosity of sputum with a Jenssen type capillary viscometer. The repeated assessment of the viscosity of the same sample of sputum showed that the results are reproducible and the instrument does not disrupt markedly the structure of the sputum. After measuring the viscosity of 35 patients with different types of pulmonary disease the authors state, in accordance with the data found in literature, that the measurement of the viscosity of sputum by itself cannot help in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary diseases. The authors suggest the determination of the Biochemical constituents of sputum to supplement the measurement of the viscosity of sputum.