Methods for liquid filling inflated lungs and measuring any retained gas

A method is described for liquid filling lungs without collapse by ventilating them on CO2 and then absorbing this gas with isotonic Tris buffer solution. The gas retained in each of 16 liquid-filled lungs has been measured by their compression in a dilatometer and averages 0.13% of lung volume. The liquid filling method has the advantage that it can be used either for lungs in situ or excised; total elimination of any retained gas, if desired, can be ensured by subsequent compression to 8.3 ATA for 10 min.