TIME OF APPEARANCE OF SKIN LESIONS FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO BETA RADIATION

Measurements of the response of rat, guinea pig, dog, and pig skin to beta radiation have been made at doses of 450 to 100,000 rad. The results indicate that above the threshold for wet desquamation the sequence of events is an early erythema; a latent period of five to seven days during which the skin appears normal; and a short period of dry desquamation, lasting only one or two days, followed by necrosis and sloughing of the skin in the irradiated area. The wet ulcer is then covered by a dry crust which persists until healing is complete. A dose of 15,000 rad produced edema of the irradiated site by the first day in all rats and occasional edema in guinea pigs and dogs. Higher doses reduced the latent time before ulceration and increased the intensity of the erythema. At 100,000 rad immediate effects of the irradiation causes an intense erythema and accelerates the course of injury described for the doses above 15,000 rad. (auth)