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Observations on Radiation Exposure in Dermatologic X-Ray Therapy

Observations on Radiation Exposure in Dermatologic X-Ray Therapy Abstract Although for 50 years, since men began to use x-rays in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, the medical profession has been concerned with the safety of the patient in radiation procedures, it was not until recently that the extent of the radiation hazard became apparent to us all— physician, atomic scientist, and the public alike. This was in part due to a previous lack of accurate mensurating devices and a lack of basic standards. But, strangely enough, it was the alarm produced among the geneticists by the explosion of the thermonuclear bomb that drew attention to the radiation exposures which have long occurred in the practice of medicine. In 1956, two groups of radiation specialists, atomic scientists and geneticists, assessed the radiation dangers to the general public, particularly from the explosion and manufacture of the atomic and hydrogen bombs. The reports of these men References 1. Such a short review of this series of papers is unfair to the authors. It is hoped that all interested in this subject will see fit to read these articles in their entirety. 2. The Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation: Summary Reports , National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, 1956. 3. The Hazards to Man of Nuclear and Allied Radiations: Report to the Medical Research Council of Great Britain, London, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, June, 1956. 4. Muller, H. J.: Radiation Damage to Genetic Material , Am. Scientist 38:33 ( (Jan.) ) 1950. 5. Muller, H. J.: Damage to Posterity Caused by Irradiation of the Gonads , Am. J. Obst. & Gynec. 67:467 ( (March) ) 1954. 6. Muller, H. J.: Genetic Damage Produced by Radiation , Science 121:837 ( (June 17) ) 1955. 7. Crow, J. F.: Possible Consequences of an Increased Mutation Rate , Eugenics Quart. 4:67 ( (June) ) 1957. 8. Schubert, J., and Lapp, R. E.: Radiation: What It Is and How It Affects You , New York, The Viking Press, 1957. 9. Pauling, L.: Petition Urging the Agreement to Stop Nuclear Tests , Science 127:277 ( (Feb. 7) ) 1958. 10. Rall, J. E.: Radiation and the Medical Profession , Editorials, A. M. A. Arch. Int. Med. 100:347 ( (Sept.) ) 1957. 11. Maximum Permissible Radiation Exposures to Man: A Preliminary Statement of the National Committee on Radiation Protection and Measure ment , A. M. A. Arch. Int. Med. 100:353 ( (Sept.) ) 1957. 12. Statement by The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation: The Responsibilities of the Medical Profession in the Use of X-Rays and Other Ionizing Radiation , J. Nat. Cancer Inst. 18:481 ( (March) ) 1957. 13. Beamer, P. R.: The Responsibilities of the Medical Profession in the Use of X-Rays and Other Ionizing Radiation , Am. J. Clin. Path. 27:567 ( (May) ) 1957. 14. Statement by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation: The Responsibilities of the Medical Profession in the Use of X-Rays and Other Ionizing Radiation , J. Pediat. 50:372 ( (March) ) 1957. 15. Taylor, L. S.: The Philosophy Underlying Radiation Protection , Am. J. Roentgenol. 77:914 ( (May) ) 1957. 16. Neel, James V.: The Delayed Effects of Ionizing Radiation , J. A. M. A. 166:908 ( (Feb. 22) ) 1958. 17. Crossland, P. M.: Dermatological Radiation Therapy in This Nuclear Age—An Appraisal , J. A. M. A. 165:647 ( (Oct. 12) ) 1957. 18. Laughlin, J. S.; Meurk, M. L.; Pullman, I., and Sherman, R. S.: Bone, Skin and Gonadal Doses in Routine Diagnostic Procedures , Am. J. Roentgenol. 128:961 ( (Dec.) ) 1957. 19. Chamberlin, W. E., cited in Importance of Chest X-Rays in Total Radiation Exposure , Tuberc. Abstr. 30:1 ( (Jan.) ) 1957. 20. Witten, V. H.; Sulzberger, M. B., and Stewart, W. D.: Studies on the Quantity of Radiation Reaching the Gonadal Areas During Dermatologic X-Ray Therapy: I. Preliminary Report , J. Invest. Dermat. 28:187, 1957. 21. Witten, V. H.; Sulzberger, M. B., and Stewart, W. D.: Studies on the Quantity of Radiation Reaching the Gonadal Areas During Dermatologic X-Ray Therapy: II. Methods, Quantitative Measurements, and Analyses of Some Important Factors Influencing the Gonad-Dose , A. M. A. Arch. Dermat 76:683 ( (Dec.) ) 1957. 22. Stewart, W. D.; Witten, V. H., and Sulzberger, M. B.: III. Shielding Techniques and Other Precautions for Reducing the Gonad Dose , presented at 18th Annual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology, June 1-2, 1957, New York , to be published. 23. Welton, D. G.: X-Ray Therapy in the Private Practice of Dermatology , South. M. J. 50:648 ( (May) ) 1957. 24. Callaway, J. L.; Moseley, V., and Barefoot, S. W.: Effects of Roentgen Ray Irradiation on the Testes of Rabbits: Possible Harmful Effects on Human Testes from Low Voltage Roentgen Ray Therapy , Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 56:471, 1947. 25. Purser, P. R., and Qurist, C. F.: An Estimate of the Genetic Dose from Radio-Therapy , Acta radiol. 48:267 ( (Oct.) ) 1957. 26. Hine, G. J., and McCall, R. C.: Gamma Ray Backscatter , Nucleonics 12:27 ( (April) ) 1954. 27. Flaty, J., and Maudal, S: Some Measurements of Scattered Radiation from Diagnostic Beam , Acta radiol. 46:680 ( (Nov.) ) 1956.Crossref 28. Magnusson, W.: A Device for the Protection of the Testicle in Roengten Examinations of Adjacent Organs and Bones , Acta. radiol. 37:288, 1952.Crossref 29. Teller, E., and Latter, A. L.: Our Nuclear Future , New York, Criterion Books, 1958. 30. Ehrenberg, L.; Ehremstein, G., and Hedgren, A.: Gonad Temperature and Spontaneous Mutation Rate in Man , Nature, London 180:1433 ( (Dec. 21) ) 1957.Crossref http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png A.M.A. Archives of Dermatology American Medical Association

Observations on Radiation Exposure in Dermatologic X-Ray Therapy

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References (34)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1959 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0096-5359
DOI
10.1001/archderm.1959.01560140021004
Publisher site
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Abstract

Abstract Although for 50 years, since men began to use x-rays in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, the medical profession has been concerned with the safety of the patient in radiation procedures, it was not until recently that the extent of the radiation hazard became apparent to us all— physician, atomic scientist, and the public alike. This was in part due to a previous lack of accurate mensurating devices and a lack of basic standards. But, strangely enough, it was the alarm produced among the geneticists by the explosion of the thermonuclear bomb that drew attention to the radiation exposures which have long occurred in the practice of medicine. In 1956, two groups of radiation specialists, atomic scientists and geneticists, assessed the radiation dangers to the general public, particularly from the explosion and manufacture of the atomic and hydrogen bombs. The reports of these men References 1. Such a short review of this series of papers is unfair to the authors. It is hoped that all interested in this subject will see fit to read these articles in their entirety. 2. The Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation: Summary Reports , National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, 1956. 3. The Hazards to Man of Nuclear and Allied Radiations: Report to the Medical Research Council of Great Britain, London, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, June, 1956. 4. Muller, H. J.: Radiation Damage to Genetic Material , Am. Scientist 38:33 ( (Jan.) ) 1950. 5. Muller, H. J.: Damage to Posterity Caused by Irradiation of the Gonads , Am. J. Obst. & Gynec. 67:467 ( (March) ) 1954. 6. Muller, H. J.: Genetic Damage Produced by Radiation , Science 121:837 ( (June 17) ) 1955. 7. Crow, J. F.: Possible Consequences of an Increased Mutation Rate , Eugenics Quart. 4:67 ( (June) ) 1957. 8. Schubert, J., and Lapp, R. E.: Radiation: What It Is and How It Affects You , New York, The Viking Press, 1957. 9. Pauling, L.: Petition Urging the Agreement to Stop Nuclear Tests , Science 127:277 ( (Feb. 7) ) 1958. 10. Rall, J. E.: Radiation and the Medical Profession , Editorials, A. M. A. Arch. Int. Med. 100:347 ( (Sept.) ) 1957. 11. Maximum Permissible Radiation Exposures to Man: A Preliminary Statement of the National Committee on Radiation Protection and Measure ment , A. M. A. Arch. Int. Med. 100:353 ( (Sept.) ) 1957. 12. Statement by The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation: The Responsibilities of the Medical Profession in the Use of X-Rays and Other Ionizing Radiation , J. Nat. Cancer Inst. 18:481 ( (March) ) 1957. 13. Beamer, P. R.: The Responsibilities of the Medical Profession in the Use of X-Rays and Other Ionizing Radiation , Am. J. Clin. Path. 27:567 ( (May) ) 1957. 14. Statement by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation: The Responsibilities of the Medical Profession in the Use of X-Rays and Other Ionizing Radiation , J. Pediat. 50:372 ( (March) ) 1957. 15. Taylor, L. S.: The Philosophy Underlying Radiation Protection , Am. J. Roentgenol. 77:914 ( (May) ) 1957. 16. Neel, James V.: The Delayed Effects of Ionizing Radiation , J. A. M. A. 166:908 ( (Feb. 22) ) 1958. 17. Crossland, P. M.: Dermatological Radiation Therapy in This Nuclear Age—An Appraisal , J. A. M. A. 165:647 ( (Oct. 12) ) 1957. 18. Laughlin, J. S.; Meurk, M. L.; Pullman, I., and Sherman, R. S.: Bone, Skin and Gonadal Doses in Routine Diagnostic Procedures , Am. J. Roentgenol. 128:961 ( (Dec.) ) 1957. 19. Chamberlin, W. E., cited in Importance of Chest X-Rays in Total Radiation Exposure , Tuberc. Abstr. 30:1 ( (Jan.) ) 1957. 20. Witten, V. H.; Sulzberger, M. B., and Stewart, W. D.: Studies on the Quantity of Radiation Reaching the Gonadal Areas During Dermatologic X-Ray Therapy: I. Preliminary Report , J. Invest. Dermat. 28:187, 1957. 21. Witten, V. H.; Sulzberger, M. B., and Stewart, W. D.: Studies on the Quantity of Radiation Reaching the Gonadal Areas During Dermatologic X-Ray Therapy: II. Methods, Quantitative Measurements, and Analyses of Some Important Factors Influencing the Gonad-Dose , A. M. A. Arch. Dermat 76:683 ( (Dec.) ) 1957. 22. Stewart, W. D.; Witten, V. H., and Sulzberger, M. B.: III. Shielding Techniques and Other Precautions for Reducing the Gonad Dose , presented at 18th Annual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology, June 1-2, 1957, New York , to be published. 23. Welton, D. G.: X-Ray Therapy in the Private Practice of Dermatology , South. M. J. 50:648 ( (May) ) 1957. 24. Callaway, J. L.; Moseley, V., and Barefoot, S. W.: Effects of Roentgen Ray Irradiation on the Testes of Rabbits: Possible Harmful Effects on Human Testes from Low Voltage Roentgen Ray Therapy , Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 56:471, 1947. 25. Purser, P. R., and Qurist, C. F.: An Estimate of the Genetic Dose from Radio-Therapy , Acta radiol. 48:267 ( (Oct.) ) 1957. 26. Hine, G. J., and McCall, R. C.: Gamma Ray Backscatter , Nucleonics 12:27 ( (April) ) 1954. 27. Flaty, J., and Maudal, S: Some Measurements of Scattered Radiation from Diagnostic Beam , Acta radiol. 46:680 ( (Nov.) ) 1956.Crossref 28. Magnusson, W.: A Device for the Protection of the Testicle in Roengten Examinations of Adjacent Organs and Bones , Acta. radiol. 37:288, 1952.Crossref 29. Teller, E., and Latter, A. L.: Our Nuclear Future , New York, Criterion Books, 1958. 30. Ehrenberg, L.; Ehremstein, G., and Hedgren, A.: Gonad Temperature and Spontaneous Mutation Rate in Man , Nature, London 180:1433 ( (Dec. 21) ) 1957.Crossref

Journal

A.M.A. Archives of Dermatology – American Medical Association

Published: Feb 1, 1959

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