An attempt at comparing the results of carboxyhaemoglobin level in blood and gasometric determinations in capillary blood in cases of carbon monoxide poisoning when treatment began at the place of accident.

The authors observed disturbances of acid-base equilibrium and levels of carboxyhaemoglobin in 116 cases of CO intoxication. The patients were treated early -- at the place of the accident and during transport to hospital. Oxygen treatment was applied, the acid-base equilibrium disturbances were corrected, especially the metabolic acidosis by using alkaline substances. This management enabled rapid elimination of the poison from the organism and an improvement in the general condition of the patients.