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A New Experimental Approach To The Evaluation Of The Effect Of Narcotic Analgesics Upon Respiratory Function, Charles H. Pierce, Richard B. Mchugh, Raymond N. Bieter

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Experimental models often used to study the effects of drugs upon respiratory function employ anesthetized animals. The present study eliminated the possible interference of anesthetics by using dogs altered only by a Permanent lracheostomy. Respiratory function was evaluated by determining end-expiratory (alveolar) CO, tension. The experimental design, an extension of the cross-over type, permitted the estimation of possible residual effects of the drugs applied in sequence la the same animals. Morphine Sulfate increasingly caused on elevation in alveolar pCO, while Meperidine HCl had no such effect. An antitussive meperidine derivative, WIN 13187, had respiratory effects similar to meperidine.