[Acute inhalation toxicity of ammonia in rabbits]

The aggressivity of ammonia at the pulmonary alveole level (intoxications in controlled ventilation) leads to an acute pulmonary oedema and cardio-vascular disfunctioning. Bradycardia is an early symptome (2,500 X 10(-6) but the real syndrome appears at 5,000 X 10(-6). Arterial pressure variations and blood gases modifications are significant, acidosis is systematic.