Respiratory Tract Fluid and Inhalation of Phosgene

Abstract

Abstract Increase in the permeability of the respiratory membrane of rabbits after exposure to phosgene was followed by measuring the output and composition of respiratory tract fluid. During the latent period, levels of sodium and chloride in respiratory tract fluid were elevated but volume was normal. During the early symptomatic period, the levels of sodium and chloride were definitely elevated but volume was still normal. Just before death in the late symptomatic period, respiratory tract fluid poured out of the lungs at a rate which averaged 60 times the normal and its sodium, chloride, and lipid levels were identical to those of blood plasma. Rabbits in the last group had an intense pulmonary oedema, haemoconcentration, and little or no resistance to the lethal effect of urethane.