Abstract
SUMMARY Special ventilation units are described which permit exposure of experimental animals to atmospheres of nitrous oxide, nitrogen and oxygen for prolonged periods. The animal cage is placed in a clear plastic bag and the atmosphere is recirculated through soda lime and activated charcoal, and water vapour condensed out in a cold trap. Fresh gases are metered into the circuit from Rotameters and the oxygen concentration is maintained at 21±1.5 per cent. Using these units various species of experimental animals have been exposed to differing concentrations of nitrous oxide or air (in a control unit). Guineapigs and rabbits were unsuitable for further study as a weight loss of over 5 per cent occurred after 48 hours exposure to 60 per cent nitrous oxide. Mice and rats were found more satisfactory for prolonged nitrous oxide treatment since appetite and weight changes were less marked.
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