The alveolar lining film in experimental pulmonary collapse.

Obstructive pulmonary collapse was produced by ligation of lobar bronchus in 41 healthy dogs. The atelectatic lung was examined electronmicroscopically by means of vapour fixation, ruthenium red procedure and tricomplex flocculation. The equilibration stability index of Pattle was determined and compared to the electromicroscopic findings. The experimentally produced obstructive pulmonary collapse was a mechanical phenomenon which secondarily caused qualitative changes in the production of the alveolar lining layer.