THE SHORTER-TERM RIOLOGICAL HAZARDS OF A TALLOVT FIELD 12. Sxipmr, KR, §., and Rarer, J. R.: Bivlogical effects of external beta radiation. Chap. 9, MeCrawAU Book Co., Inc. First edition New York, 1951, 13. Rappn, J. R., and Barses, K. K.: Biological effects of external beta radiation, Chap. 4, MeGraw-Hill Book Co., Ine. First. edition, New York, 1951. 14. Lusasavan, C. E., Spauvine, J. F., and Has, D. B.: Report on sheep losses adjacent to the Nevada Proving Grounds, AEC Report, Jan. 6, 1954. 15. Monrrz, A. R., and Henriguns, F. W.: Effect of beta rays on the skin as a function of the energy, intensity, and duration of radiation, J. Lah. Investigation 1: 167, 1952. 16. MacKun, G. M., Crroniano, A. C., and Monroom murv, H. M.: X-ray and radium treatment of dineases of the skin, Fourth edition, Tea und Febiger, Philadephia 1947. 17. Broom, W., and Bloom, M. A,: Radiation Biology. Vol. 1, Part TZ, p. 1119, MeGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc., New York, 1954. 18. Wurrren, Vo W.. 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A few years ago when at Oak Ridge, we were studying the effects of beta rays on rats and mice, and we saw lesions so very much like this which were followed by different kinds of neoplasias of the skin. The interesting thing was that we saw these abnor- same structure of explanation, some basis of an explanation of the changes that led toward maliguancy. That mutations take place there is no question, But the dynamics of those changes—-the dynamics of the tissue behavior changes---with the modification in physiologic malities and deformities of the skin of a variety of types muchas described here, and then the lesions after recovery and repair of the skin gradients are things which may be very strong and important forces for us to take into ac- began to form. Col. Brennan. Thank you very much, Dr. Henshaw. As J recall, you have examples of tumors from all different layers of the skin. had taken place there were points where tumors These tumors were different. in type. They represented every conceivable level of maturation of skin tissue. That com- bined with the fact that there were these other abnormalities of the skin directed our attention to the matter of the guiding forces in the skin that tend to make it behave in one way or another. We had called to our attention rather force- fully this morning the possibility of the effects on the nucleus as being an explanation, first, of tissue degeneration when there are extreme mutations in the nucleus, and then in lesser mutations the kinds of persistent effects. We could see in these lesions this afternoon evidence of a behavior of tissues which will certainly differ from that of the usual traumatic kind of lesions, such as a cut with a knife or a burn. It was as though the guiding forces of the cells workeddifferently and here were some that were trying to do one type of thing, and others that were attempting to do other kinds of things. lf we should think of somatic mutations as being @ partial explanation of what is happening and then think what would be the situation if the radiation were distributed throughout the body, perhaps we begin to get some basis of an explanation of what the aging processes are, andin relation to this, perhaps within the count in attempting to explain these various kinds of processes that we are seeing. Dr. Hunspaw. Yes. Col. Brennan. Every layer gave its own type of tumor. Dr. Hensyaw, Yes. Not only that, but there were hair folicle tumors, gland tumors, and other kinds of tissue expressions. There were a few connective tissue tumors. When we used more penetrating radiations those were more frequent. Then the related observations that when you have bone seckers you get the bone tumors, so it is largely a matter of distribution of the radiation as to the kinds of malignancies that oceur. Col. Brennan. Thank you. Certainly malignancy is the big question to be watched here. Perhaps when Dr. Conrad makes his 27th semiannual visit to the Marshallese, we will have the answer. (Laughter.) Mr. Joseph Lindwarm of the Chemical Corps has some remarks which are pertinent to the general subject of beta, particularly with regard to what the consequences would be to take steps to avoid this sort of thing. Would you please give us the benefits of your remarks. Mr. Linpwarm (Army Chemical Center). My comments on the beta hazard are being 143