Abstract
SUMMARY Studies of the leucopenic effects of nitrous oxide were made in rodents, with and without surgical wounds. The animals were exposed to one of the following atmospheres: (1) air; (2) 25 per cent nitrous oxide; (3) 60 per cent (rats) or 40 per cent (mice) nitrous oxide; the oxygen percentage was maintained at 21 per cent in each case. A leucopenic effect and suppression of the normal leucocytosis to trauma was seen with all concentrations of nitrous oxide after 2 days' treatment. The effect of 60 per cent nitrous oxide was greater than 25 per cent nitrous oxide after 7 days but the difference was less pronounced in the first 4 days. The leucopenic effect was greater in animals with surgical wounds. Granulopenia was present after 3 days, but not after 1 day of nitrous oxide, and persisted for at least 3 days after completion of treatment. The safety of nitrous oxide therapy and its possible mechanisms of toxicity are discussed.
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