[Functional analysis in experimental respiratory distress syndrome (author's transl)].

After injection of an anti-lung -serum a respiratory distress syndrome could be produced in spontaneously-breathing guinea pigs. Reduced compliance, increased resistance and work of breathing was found. Morphological investigations showed intraalveolar and interstitial bleedings and a lung edema. Biochemically a decreased total phospholipid content could be found. Surface tension characteristics, examined with the Langmuir balance, were deteriorated. A complete restitution of surface tension parameters and total phospholipid content was obtained by administration of bromhexin metabolit Na 872.