Influence of Cathode Rays on Leucocytes of Rabbits.

Abstract

It is well known that leucocytes are destroyed to a considerable extent if a large portion of an animal is exposed to about an erythema dose of roentgen rays which penetrate into the tissues under the skin. Bucky 1 has stated that very soft roentgen rays. “grenz rays,” have a different effect on the leucocytes. According to him, a considerable portion of the leucocytes disappear from the circulating blood immediately after a small area of the skin has been exposed to these rays, which are all absorbed in the first millimeters of tissues, and reappear after a few hours. Cathode rays produced with less than 200 kilo volts are absorbed by the first millimeter of tissue. A very intense dose given to the skin will, therefore, not directly injure the underlying tissues. Such an intense dose can be given in a few seconds. Due to the rapid destruction of tissues a considerable amount of organic substances may be liberated. It is possible that they will be taken up partially by the skin capillaries and thus become mixed with the blood. What effect they may have on the system and on the blood itself is difficult to predict. It seemed likely that the effect should be similar to, though perhaps more intense than the effect of “grenz rays.” We decided to study the effect on the leucocytes of rabbits and this is a preliminary report of the first results obtained.

We are obliged to Dr. W. Coolidge of the General Electric Company for supplying us with a tube of the construction which he has described in earlier papers, 2 and to the University of Minnesota for appropriating a special fund for needed equipment.