Body Weight, Fasting and Forced Feeding After Whole Body X-Irradiation

Abstract

The wt. pattern in rats, mice and guinea pigs following whole-body irradiation was a stronger characteristic of species than of dose or lethality. Fasting did not significantly alter mortality. Forced feeding a partially predigested diet by stomach tube was detrimental to rats when the feedings were given during the first 3 days following irradiation, but was not damaging when given after the 4th day. Stasis of the alimentary contents of the rat was observed after radiation, principally in the stomach.