Method for treating acute alkali exposure with carbon dioxide

摘要

The present invention provides a method for combatting damage to a body tissue contacted to an alkali. The method comprising administering CO.sub.2 to the subject in an amount sufficient to produce an acidotic state in the tissue, the acidotic state serving to prevent alkali damage to the tissue. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a subject is caused to inhale a mixture of 95%O.sub.2 and 5%CO.sub.2 for brief periods of time, followed by periods of breathing room air. The invention is particularly useful for treating alkaline injury of the esophagus caused by ingestion of alkaline material.