Coughing was detected by measuring body-surface acceleration. Twenty-seven patients with a chief complaint of coughing were studied. The sensor used is an apparatus for sound communication in aircraft, in which cranial vibrations that occur as the pilot speaks are converted into acceleration waves. An acceleration sensor was fixed to the body of each subject. The acceleration of the chest wall was recorded as a voltage change. Subjects rested in bed to exclude acceleration due to body movement. Acceleration waves of large amplitude were recognized during coughing. Conversation or laughter only caused very weak acceleration waves. Sound has often been used as an indicator of coughing, because coughing was thought to be one kind of human vocalization. However, distinguishing speaking from coughing was difficult, and complicated analysis was necessary. We regarded coughing as a movement causing acceleration of the body surface, and measured it without using sound. We plan to collect data on accleration of the body surface in 3 dimensions simultaneously. After a continuous long-term recorder of coughing is developed the effects of antitussive drugs can be assessed.