Mechanics of Respiration in Unanesthetized Guinea Pigs

Abstract

A technique has been described by which tidal volume, intrapleural pressure and rate of flow of gas in and out of the respiratory system can be measured simultaneously in unanesthetized guinea pigs for periods of several hours. These data permit the calculation of the pulmonary flow-resistance and compliance for an experimental animal with normal reflex behavior. The values obtained on 200 normal and 20 tracheotomized animals for tidal volume, respiratory rate, minute volume, resistance and compliance are given.