ERYTHEMA FROM FAST ELECTRONS

The morphological aspects and the evolution of skin erythema provoked by 15-Mev electrons administered in one sitting are described. The doses capable of determining the minimal and maximal erythema, epilation, desquamation, and epidermolysis in the different body areas were determined, and the influence of various factors which may modify the intensity and the course of the erythema are analyzed. Fast electron-induced erythema proved to be somewhat less marked than the erythema induced by the same dose of 55-kv x rays, but more precocious and severe than that due to filtered 200-kv x rays. The desquamation and epidermolysis appear by using higher doses of fast electrons than of x rays. The recovery period of the skin alterations is shorter for the fast electrons. (auth)