In axial gasdischarges with superposed axial magnetic fields “inclined”- or “slant” — spectral lines can be observed, if at the same time radial electric fields are present. The inclination of the lines can be explained by the assumption of a completely or partially rotating plasma column. The velocity of rotation which is a function of the radius can only be measured by spectroscopic means. In this article a method is developped which permits the calculation of the velocity of rotation as well as the calculation of the distribution function of the particle velocity from spectroscopic measurements of the line profiles.