Radium, its physics and therapeutics / [Dawson Turner].

  • Turner, Dawson (Dawson Fyers Duckworth)
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Radium, its physics and therapeutics / [Dawson Turner]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    method of application was to insert a tube under the skin near the spine (Danyzs), or to immobilize the animal in a box in the top of which, and corresponding to the animal’s cranium, was placed some radium (Obersteiner). The result of these experiments was that the animals all quickly died, particularly the young ones, from paralysis or from tonic convulsions. London observed optic neuritis in one case. In all the cases the most important and constant morbid changes were the minute hemorrhages found in the brain and cord, and the degeneration of the endothe- lium of the capillaries. Effect on the Liver.—Dr. Mills (Lancet, August 18, 1910) studied the action of the gamma rays on the liver of mice. The applicator used was one of 500,000 units, and it was guarded by a shield which cut off the alpha and beta rays, while allowing the gamma rays to pass through. It was applied to the anterior abdominal wall for thirty minutes in each case. (This is not explicit as regards the dose unless the weight of the salt used be added.) The mice were killed at varying intervals after exposure, and the liver examined microscopically. The effect, briefly, on mouse liver was found to be as follows: 1. Within an hour after irradiation a transient change had commenced in the liver cells, somewhat resembling ‘‘ cloudy swelling.” 2. There is an early inflammatory reaction, lasting a few days.