Comparative Study of the Lungs in Wet Drowning and Secondary Drowning in Fresh Water

Drowning in fresh water following inhalation of water into air passages results in churning of air, water and proteinaceous secretions of respiratory passage resulting in the formation of abundant fine lathery froth. The froth functions as a valve which permits only entry of air into alveoli, preventing the escape of air from alveoli. This results in an emphysematous, ballooned out, voluminous and pale lungs. The acute lung injury results in diffuse alveolar damage and acute respiratory distress syndrome, and when the person is rescued and resuscitated resulting in hypoxic brain damage and delayed death.