RADIATION DEATH IN MAMMALS 



Pituitary gland — Animals that had been hypophysectomized and irradi- 

 ated with different doses showed a reaction similar to that of the adrenalecto- 

 mized animals. Here also the 3 • 5-day effect disappears and a distinct 



dependence (Curve o o in Figure 5) of the effect on dose appears. The 



course of the survival curve is slightly different from that of the adrenal- 

 ectomized animals. Again irradiation of the pituitary gland alone {in situ) 

 produced no effect in the six-week period of observation. 



Spleen — Splenectomized animals given whole body irradiation with 

 different doses in the independent range (3-5-day effect) behaved like 

 animals that had not been operated; here the complete 3-5-day effect 

 was observed. The mean survival time amounted to somewhat above 

 3-5 days, the difference, however, is only small. Results of these tests are 

 shown in Figure 5. 



700 





70 



'r 



>\ 





N 



7L 



^ N 

 ^ 



\ 



•^ 



X- 



\ 

 \ \ 

 \ s 

 \ 

 \ 

 \ 





Figure 5. Survival time of white rats after irradiation 

 in the dose range l,000r-15,000r • • irra- 

 diated controls [3 • 5-day effect) , -\ \- irradi- 

 ated splenectomized animals, o — o irradiated 



adrenalectomized animals, X- X irradiated 



hypophysectomized animals. 



2000 



6000 70000 

 Doses — ► 



19000 78000 



V 



Intestine — Irradiation of the intestine in situ did not have a significant 

 effect. The survival time was long. The applied doses were within the 

 3-5-day dosage range. 



Irradiations of more than one organ in situ — The applied doses were within 

 the range of the 3 - 5-day effect. When liver, spleen, kidney, and intestine 

 were irradiated simultaneously an effect was apparent and the survival 

 time fell to approximately 4 days ; but a constant range could not be 

 definitely determined, because the scatter of the results was relatively great. 

 We hope to answer this question soon when conditions of irradiation are 

 modified. In addition, the following combinations of organs were chosen : 

 {a) liver, spleen, and kidney, (b) liver, spleen, and intestine, {c) spleen, 

 kidney, and intestine, [d) liver and kidney. Liver and spleen as well as 

 liver and intestine were irradiated with 1 5,000 r in situ. In all cases the 

 survival time was reduced gradually and differently. The effect was most 

 obvious with all those combinations in which the liver participated. The 

 experiments are still in progress and the interpretation has to wait until all 



88 



