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The Control and Treatment of Radiation Reactions

This excerpt was created in the absence of an abstract.

The general radiation reactions with which we are chiefly concerned are firstly that group of symptoms, lassitude, anorexia, nausea and vomiting which are usually included under the general heading of "X-ray sickness," secondly the generalised skin reactions, and thirdly the effects of radiation on the patient's blood count. The study of local radiation reactions has proved far simpler than the study of general reactions for two main reasons. First it was possible to estimate the local dose accurately, and second to observe the local reactions produced either directly by eye or with the aid of the microscope. In observing general reactions we had no comparable method of dose determination, and were forced to rely for most of our clinical impressions of the effects produced on vague statements made by patients that they felt sick, or tired, or had lost their appetite. In my experience, a satisfactory result is obtained in a small number of patients, no matter what drug is given. The fact that the patient receives extra attention, some medicine or an injection, is alone sufficient to allay the symptoms in these cases. The list of remedies recommended for X-ray sickness is noteworthy more for its length than for any benefit that it has provided for the sufferers from this distressing complaint. Some examples will serve to show the diversity of these "remedies": chloral, nembutal, sodium chloride, glucose, sodium bicarbonate, adrenalin, cholesterol, calcium in a variety of forms, Vitamin B, nicotinic acid, liver extract and congo red, are just a few.

^* Summary of the Proceedings of the Faculty of Radiologists.

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