Experimental X irradiation of the Rat Thyroid

Treatment of the thyroid of rats with doses of X rays ranging from 50–5000 r produces no change in their oxygen consumption, nor in the histological appearance of the glands in (a) mature male rats; (b) young growing rats; (c) mature animals in which the gland had been rendered hyperplastic by oral administration of thiouracil. Doses greater than 5000 r invariably resulted in death of the animals 9–10 days later, which could be delayed or prevented by the subcutaneous administration of glucose-saline. Although death was apparently due to insufficient intake of fluid, no cause for this was found.