RELATIONSHIP OF HYPOTHERMIA TO HIGH OXYGEN POISONING

Abstract

Measurements of O2 consumption in rats with reduced body temps. occasioned by immersion in cold water showed a small rise above normal at a rectal temp. of 30[degree]C, a still further rise at 25[degree] and a precipitous drop to below normal at 20[degree]C. When these groups of rats were exposed for 1 hr. to an O2 pressure of 5.2 atmospheres, survival was remarkably related to metabolic level (correlation coefficient = -0.96). 5.8 atmospheres O2 pressure was so toxic as to mask the metabolic relationship, however.