ETHER ANESTHESIA AND THE OUTPUT OF FLUIDS FROM THE RESPIRATORY TRACT

¹ Department of Pharmacology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada

Anesthetized or decerebrate cats, rabbits, dogs and guinea pigs were arranged for collection of R.T.F. (Respiratory Tract Fluid) through a tracheal cannula and with conditioned inhaled air.

The inhalation of ether had no effect upon the output of R.T.F. in urethanized rabbits, cats and guinea pigs but did increase the output some threefold in dogs.

The output of R.T.F. in rabbits, cats and dogs was not different in Planes I, II and III of ether anesthesia.

The output of R.T.F. in decerebrate cats was similar to that in urethanized cats and not affected by the inhalation of ether.

There was no evidence that the inhalation of ether damaged the cilia lining the respiratory airway and which drain R.T.F. because the output of R.T.F. under ether anesthesia was not increased by postural pulmonary drainage.

Finally, atropine sulphate did not affect the output of R.T.F. in urethanized nor in etherized rabbits, cats and dogs.