To investigate the course of respiration and circulation in death due to various types of asphyxia, dogs were asphyxiated by a method simulating typical hanging, by plastic-bag suffocation, by breathing pure nitrogen and low concentration of oxygen. Intrathoracic pressure, blood pressure in the femoral artery, electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram were registered and were compared with the course in death due to obstructive asphyxia.