Cutaneous diffusion of atmospheric N2 during N2 washout in the dog.

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Abstract
N2 washout from the body of the dog during O2 breathing was studied by following the level of N2 in mixed venous blood. The data suggested that atmospheric N2 diffuses across the skin into the blood and this effect was measured quantitatively by experiments in which the gaseous environment was controlled. The mean rate of cutaneous transfer of No was 30. 1 [plus or minus]3. 5 (SE) ml STPD (Standard temperature pressure dry) hr-1 atmosphere-1 m-2, equivalent to the equilibration with the gaseous environment of 1. 26 [plus or minus]0. 15% of the cardiac output, and corresponding to the replacement of the entire body N2 store every 24 hr. The apparent mean half-time of the slowest washout com-partment of dogs surrounded by air was 332 min, compared with 117 min for dogs placed in O2. The cutaneous transfer rate of N2 can exceed the washout rate from the tissues after 5 hr of O2 breathing. To obtain an accurate description of inert gas washout from the body stores, the gaseous environment must be of the same composition as the inspired gas.

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