Reducing the oxygen concentration of gases delivered from anaesthetic machines unadapted for medical air.

High fractional concentrations of inspired oxygen (FiO(2)) delivered over prolonged periods produce characteristic histological changes in the lungs and airway of exposed animals. Modern medical anaesthetic machines are adapted to deliver medical air (FiO(2)=0.21) for the purpose of reducing FiO(2); anaesthetic machines designed for the veterinary market have not been so adapted. Two inexpensive modifications that allow medical air to be added to the gas flow from veterinary anaesthetic machines are described. The advantages and disadvantages of each modification are discussed.