EXPERIENCE OF IRRADIATION AT LOWER TEMPERATURES

The skin to be irradiated was cooled, and the sensitivity to x irradiation was studied. Wben the shaved back of a rabbit was cooled to 10.7 deg C lower than normal, radiation was given for 6 minutes. The temperature was still 5.4 deg C lower than normal at the termination of irradiation. Radiation injury of the skin was slighter than that of the noncooled skin. When this method was applied clinically to cancer of the tongue and esophagus, it was found to be effective. The injury of the irradiated skin was slight and tolerable, especially for the large amount of 7100 r to which the skin is exposed in the irradiation treatment of cancer of the esophagus. (Abstr. Japan Med., 1: No. 9, 1961)