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Krogh's diffusion constant (K) was determined for various inert gases in isolated rat abdominal muscle at 37° C by measuring the amount of gas diffusing per unit time and partial pressure difference through a portion of the muscle of known surface area and thickness. The following mean values forK, in 10-9 mmol·min-1·cm-1·torr-1, were obtained: C2H2, 41.2; N2O, 20.0; CHClF2, 18.8; H2, 1.67; He, 1.42; CH4, 1.27; SF6, 0.081.

For the determination of solubility coefficients, isolated rat abdominal muscles were equilibrated at 37° C with various inert gases saturated with water vapor. After rapid transfer into a closed chamber containing room air the amount of gas extracted from the sample by diffusion was measured by gas chromatography. Corrections for unextracted gas and for gas lost during the transfer of the sample were applied.