SENSITIZATION TO HEAT BY X-RAYS

Abstract

1. Paramecium caudatum is sensitized to heat by sublethal dosages of x-rays. Thus if paramecia are irradiated, then exposed to a sublethal dosage of heat they are killed, but if the same heat exposure precedes the same dosage of radiations, they are not. 2. Sensitivity to both heat and x-rays is much greater in paramecia from the log growth phase than in those from the stationary phase of a culture. 3. Recovery from heat sensitization in animals from the stationary phase of a culture is slow, requiring several days. 4. Division is readily retarded and even temporarily inhibited by sublethal dosage of x-rays. Recovery of the division rate is fairly slow requiring several days. 5. Paramecia can be killed by a dosage of 1,200,000 r (of which about one-half reach the animal) units of x-radiation alone. Smaller dosages are not lethal if the paramecia are transferred to fresh medium immediately upon completion of irradiation. 6. The possibility of utilization of heat sensitization in treatment of malignant growths is discussed.