Abstract
Summary and Conclusions
Ten normal Rhesus Monkeys continuously exposed to 90+% oxygen appeared to maintain good health for a 5-day period. Then the reaction was variable. Anorexia first appeared, then apathy, drowsiness, cough and dyspnea. Survival periods ranged from 6 to 18 days in 8 monkeys. Two were alive at the end of 20 days and remained in good health. Pairs of rabbits used as controls died after 4 days and were replaced by new controls who again died after 4 days. Autopsies were performed and showed a slight amount of congestion and exudate in the lungs resembling a mild pneumonia in the monkeys, while the rabbits showed extensive pneumonia. The marked difference in reaction of the two sets of monkeys suggests that there may be a difference of resistance to 90+% oxygen in different strains, or that lowering the tent temperature to 60° may have played a role in diminishing their resistance. The reaction of the Rhesus Monkeys suggests the possibility that it may be safe for human beings to be exposed continuously, if necessary, to a 90-95% oxygen concentration for periods up to 5 days.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.