Abstract
SYNOPSISThe effect of 3 types of petroleum distillates on the pulmonary surfactant layer was examined by pressure volume studies on the rat lung. The results indicate that when small doses of each of the distillates are introduced into the trachea, they produce a marked change in the surface properties of the lining of the lung and that this is dependent on the dose. The inhalation of vapours and aerosols was ineffective, and relatively large intravenous doses of distillate were required to consistently produce changes in the lung. There was no evidence that distillate absorbed from the gut could cause any alteration in pulmonary stability. The effects of these 3 substances on the lung were similar and in each case the lung recovered its normal surface properties within 48 hours despite the presence of discrete macroscopic areas of damage in the lung.The findings suggest that the initial acute symptoms and signs are the result of damage to the pulmonary surfactant layer and aspiration is the only important cause of this type of pulmonary damage.
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