Effect of halothane on lymph flow

The thoracic lymph duct was cannulated at the root of the neck in seven anaesthetized, artificially ventilated dogs. The mean control lymph flow was 1.51 ml kg-1 h-1 (SD +/- 0.35). The administration of 1% halothane caused a 59% decrease in mean lymph flow (to 0.62 ml kg-1 h-1) within 20 min, which returned to control values 30 min after the discontinuation of the administration of halothane.