Comparative Study of the Physiological Effects of X-Irradiation and Resistance to Traumatic Shock

The lethal reaction to whole-body X-irradiation (WBI) follows a complex course dependent for the most part on constitutional factors peculiar to different species (1). Although certain predominant patterns of pathology have been described (2, 3), as in the case of early deaths (gastrointestinal, 3 to 6 days) in contrast with later deaths (marrow, 7 to 20 days), the ultimate circulatory collapse develops on so broad a scale as to make it difficult to assess the relative importance of the basic elements concerned. The shock syndrome has served as a convenient experimental tool for measuring the functional status of various facets of circulatory homeostasis. It was felt that the experimental interplay of the shock and radiation syndromes would make it possible to analyze certain features common to both conditions. Emphasis was given to the state of tolerance or resistance that could be induced against normally lethal trauma and the extent to which this form of physiological adaptation prevailed against the deleterious sequelae of X-irradiation.