636 



BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF RADIATION 



Table 1. — Effect of Radium Emanation on Osmotic Resistance of Dog 



Erythrocytes 



(Mascherpa, 254) 



Alpha particles, therefore, do decrease osmotic resistance in blood 

 cells. Mascherpa questions the significance of such results as a measure 

 of permeability, pointing out that the relations of pigment, stroma, 

 and membrane are not understood, and that the pigment itself is changed 

 by the radiation, the hemoglobin forming methemoglobin. (For discus- 

 sion of this problem see Hober, 152, page 421.) Jacobs (173) may also 

 be consulted for an analysis of the relation between hemolysis and 

 permeability. 



Mascherpa (254) has also presented direct evidence for an increase 

 in the water permeability of frog skin by radium emanation. The skins, 

 forming the membranes of simple osmometers filled with salt solutions 

 or salt and glucose, were immersed in distilled water containing radium 

 emanation in solution. The activity of the emanation solutions was 

 4755.1 Mache units. The level in the manometer rose more rapidly when 

 the skin was immersed in the radioactive water than in the controls, as 

 the figures in Table 2 show. 



Table 2. — Effect of Radium Emanation on Water Permeability of Frog Skin 



(Mascherpa, 254) 



