The Pulmonary Effects of Toxic Gases and Smokes

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Abstract
1. A survey has been made of the animals most suitable for experimental chest radiology. 2. The gross radiological anatomy of these animals was investigated with special reference to the dog. 3. The acute effects of phosgene, chlorine, mustard gas vapour and hexa-chlor-ethane smoke on the lungs of animals has been described and correlated with the pathological findings and reported cases in man. (a) Pulmonary œdema due to lung irritants has been described. (b) The pulmonary œdema can often be demonstrated before hæmoconcentration, should the latter develop. (c) Following exposure to the œdema-producing gases, the chest assumes a position of inspiration and the diaphragms remain relatively fixed in this position until recovery commences. (d) Hæmoconcentration clears before the œdema disappears. (e) Clinically, the animals appear well before the œdema has cleared radiologically. (f) Phosgene œdema appears to clear more quickly than that due to hexa-chlor-ethane smoke. (g) The animals which were allowed to recover did not develop gross bronchopneumonia. (h) Although only a small number of experiments were carried out, an opinion as to prognosis could be given. (i) Œdema due to chlorine was similar to that due to phosgene. (j) Œdema was not produced with mustard gas vapour. (k) The lungs following resolution of the œdema might be clear radiologically, but still show residual changes on histological section.
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