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Technological needs for reduction of patient dosage from diagnostic radiology
638
Book reviews
This use puts a p r e m i u m on sensitivity. (But there are intrinsic limits to sensitivity which the membership of the I.C.R.P. and other bodies do not always seem to be aware of.) (ii) H e r e is a device which makes possible studies of the normal and abnormal metabolism of numbers of elements and compounds in m a n without h a r m to the patient. But how to go about this? (iii) This is a most fascinating and powerful detector system; let us therefore develop every aspect o f i t a t o n c e ! Curiously, and delightfully F. W. Spiers in his introductory review reminds us of our c o m m o n tendency to acquire and use equipment far more elaborate than necessary for solving the problem at hand. Meneely's Radioactivity in Man* symposium (1960) contains papers contributed solely by U.S.A. research workers, whereas this I.A.E.A. volume is representative of current international ideas and activities in this field. Unfortunately, our colleagues from the iron curtain countries did not choose to present reports. I n any case, these two volumes taken together are an impressive record of rapid technological advances in very low-level counting and must be in the library of anyone who considers working in the field or even writing about it.
H. D. BRUNER * Radioactivity in Man, George R. Meneely (Ed.). Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Ill. (1961).
50 pp. (L. Lindner); "Sulfur-35", 22 pp. (Rolfe H. H e r b e r ) ; "Radiochlorine", 12 pp. (B. J. Masters); "Iodine-137", 16 pp. (Milton Kahn). It can be seen that many of the commonly used stable and radioisotopes are included. The coverage would have been improved by a chapter on the inorganic compounds of carbon. T h e book cannot be considered a treatise on inorganic isotope synthesis since the isotopes of the heavier metals and non-metals have not been included. Instead it covers a carefully selected list of eight nuclides that find extensive use in research. The editors and the authors are to be commended for giving m a n y of the synthetic methods in sufficient detail for immediate use in the laboratory without reference to the literature. Although not all chapters are uniform in this respect, the procedures usually specify concise information with respect to weights, volumes, conditions and yields. W h e n the preparation involves some of the more complicated or unstable compounds with elaborate equipment, the method is discussed and reference is made to the literature where specific information can be obtained. T h e section on " G e n e r a l Procedures" is quite general in that it tells about the procedures instead of giving detailed instructions for typical measurements or methods. However, it includes a selection of good references which can be consulted for further details. There seems to be no doubt that this volume should be available to any research group interested in the use of stable or radioactive isotopes. T. I. TAYLOR
Inorg~nle Isotopic Synthesis, ROLFE H. HERBER (Ed.) W. A. Benjamin, Inc., New York, 1962, V I I + 249 pp. $7.50. ISOTOPICALLYlabeled compounds are used extensively in m a n y fields of research, and frequently by those not experienced in their preparation. Summaries of synthetic methods have been available for organic compounds and this volume now makes similar information available to those interested in isotopically labeled inorganic compounds of D, T, N 1~, 0 28, P, S35, C1, and 1TM. It not only gives procedures for m a n y of the important preparations but evaluates the relative merits of competitive methods and supplies over 900 references to the literature where further details can be obtained. T h e coverage of the field by the book is best summarized by the titles of its nine chapters: " G e n e r a l Procedures", 13 pp. (Seymour T. Zenchelsky); " I n o r g a n i c Deuterium Compounds", 50 pp. (Henry L. Crespi and Joseph J. Katz) ; "Syntheses with T r i t i u m " , 20 pp. (F. S. Rowland) ; "Nitrogen15", 45 pp. (W. Spindel); "Oxygen-18", 94 pp. (I. Dostrovsky and D. Samuel) ; "Radiophosphorus",
Technological Needs for Reduction of Patient Dosage From Diagnostic Radiology, Edited by MURRAY L. JANOWER. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, 1963. xviii + 339 pp. THE Medical Research Council's first report on The Hazards to Man of Nuclear and Allied Radiations (1956) gave an estimate of about 22 m r for the amount of radiation reaching the gonads of each m e m b e r of the population of this country per a n n u m as a result of diagnostic radiology. Lord Adrian's committee, reporting on a much wider survey m a d e in 1957, found the figure to be only about 14 mr. A table in the book under review specifies that in the U.S.A., with approximately the same n u m b e r of radiographic examination per capita per annum, the corresponding dose in 1955-56 may have been as high as 140 m r with a m i n i m u m about 50 mr. Moreover, the surveys on which these conclusions were reached were based on large hospitals and radiologists' practices, whereas--in New York City
Book reviews at least--85 per cent of medical X-ray equipment (some of it very old) is used by non-radiologists outside hospitals, so that the results m a y well be biased on the low side. T h e r e are two ways by which these doses may be reduced. The first depends on the techniques adopted by radiologists and their radiographers and the precision with which they limit the X - r a y beams, and the exposures, which they use. T h e second depends on the provision by physicists and engineers of more efficient films, fluorescent screens, image intensifiers and the like which make it possible to limit the exposures without losing radiographic quality. T h e Symposium recorded in this volume deals with the latter approach. It was held in Washington in March, 1962, under the auspices of the Division of Radiological Health of the U.S. Public Health Service, and was associated with the names o f J a n o w e r , Braestrup, Morgan, Webster and Wyckoff. T h e papers were divided into four sections, under the headings Dosimetry, Radiation Machines, Radiographic Grids, Films and Screens, and Fluoroscopy and Cinefluorography respectively, and are recorded complete with the discussions, some of which contain useful information. T h e y vary a little in standard, and some of the authors appear to have been unaware of quite extensive work done in this country on the topics discussed. Nevertheless, they form a valuable contribution to the literature of radiatio n protection, not only because some of the basic principles are set out very lucidly but also because attention is drawn to factors which ought to be brought under more control but which need convenient equipment to do it. This is a book which all students of radiology might well be given to read, and which could provide a useful stimulus to radiological physicists and engineers in their efforts to minimize what is easily the largest source of population irradiation in any country° C. B. ALLSOPP
639
First comes a description of the methods of estimating mutation frequency, and the effects of radiation on chromosomes; then a chapter on the relation of mutation frequency to dose, dose rate, and radiation quality; lastly a chapter on the factors which modify mutation frequency and chromosome damage. The last part of the book considers the fate of mutant genes in populations. A chapter on theory is followed by one on mutation in man, and the book is comt pleted by an account of the genetic hazard of radiations to the h u m a n populations. The information in the book is accurate, there are some good plates and diagrams and a good index. F r o m the point of view of the layman there is probably too m u c h detail and too little space devoted to explanations of aims or integration of results. This is particularly noticeable in the early chapters, where the account is rather condensed and fragmentary. M u c h of chapter three, for instance, interesting as it is in itself, does not help the reader to understand later chapters. Similarly, the mathematical models in the chapter on populations are unlikely to make this most important topic clear to the layman, and a more readable non-mathematical treatment might have been more appropriate. All but the most determined lay reader, therefore, will find this book hard going. Although it cannot be recommended to the layman, the book is m u c h more successful in fulfilling its secondary role, that of being useful to students and workers in other fields of science. It will, for instance, be appreciated by students taking the new post-graduate courses in radiobiology for, as the author points out, the original papers in the field are scattered among a great n u m b e r of journals and technical publications. Such readers will profit from the detailed and academic treatment. In view of this, it is a great pity that no references are given, though m a n y of these can be tracked down via the books recommended for further reading. C . W . LAWRENCE
Genetic Effects o f R a d i a t i o n s , C. E. PURDOM, George Newnes, 1963. 173 pp., 42s. THIS book has been written to provide the intelligent layman deficient in biology or physics with a readable account of radiation genetics. Essentially it has three roughly equal parts. In the first of these the reader is given a grounding in basic physics and genetics. Chapter one describes the different kinds of radiations, their effects on matter, and dosimetry, while chapters two and three introduce the principles of heredity, its chromosome and chemical basis, and gene action. T h e middle part of the book deals with mutagenesis.
Basic Safety Standards for R a d i a t i o n Protection, Safety Series No. 9, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1962. Available from International Publications, Inc., 801 Third Avenue, New York 22, New York, 57 pp., $1.50. SAFETY Series No. 9 contains the I.A.E.A.'s basic safety standards--standards prescribing permissible levels of exposure to radiation, fundamental operational principles, and practical control of radiation doses. T h e material presented in this publication
Book reviews
This use puts a p r e m i u m on sensitivity. (But there are intrinsic limits to sensitivity which the membership of the I.C.R.P. and other bodies do not always seem to be aware of.) (ii) H e r e is a device which makes possible studies of the normal and abnormal metabolism of numbers of elements and compounds in m a n without h a r m to the patient. But how to go about this? (iii) This is a most fascinating and powerful detector system; let us therefore develop every aspect o f i t a t o n c e ! Curiously, and delightfully F. W. Spiers in his introductory review reminds us of our c o m m o n tendency to acquire and use equipment far more elaborate than necessary for solving the problem at hand. Meneely's Radioactivity in Man* symposium (1960) contains papers contributed solely by U.S.A. research workers, whereas this I.A.E.A. volume is representative of current international ideas and activities in this field. Unfortunately, our colleagues from the iron curtain countries did not choose to present reports. I n any case, these two volumes taken together are an impressive record of rapid technological advances in very low-level counting and must be in the library of anyone who considers working in the field or even writing about it.
H. D. BRUNER * Radioactivity in Man, George R. Meneely (Ed.). Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Ill. (1961).
50 pp. (L. Lindner); "Sulfur-35", 22 pp. (Rolfe H. H e r b e r ) ; "Radiochlorine", 12 pp. (B. J. Masters); "Iodine-137", 16 pp. (Milton Kahn). It can be seen that many of the commonly used stable and radioisotopes are included. The coverage would have been improved by a chapter on the inorganic compounds of carbon. T h e book cannot be considered a treatise on inorganic isotope synthesis since the isotopes of the heavier metals and non-metals have not been included. Instead it covers a carefully selected list of eight nuclides that find extensive use in research. The editors and the authors are to be commended for giving m a n y of the synthetic methods in sufficient detail for immediate use in the laboratory without reference to the literature. Although not all chapters are uniform in this respect, the procedures usually specify concise information with respect to weights, volumes, conditions and yields. W h e n the preparation involves some of the more complicated or unstable compounds with elaborate equipment, the method is discussed and reference is made to the literature where specific information can be obtained. T h e section on " G e n e r a l Procedures" is quite general in that it tells about the procedures instead of giving detailed instructions for typical measurements or methods. However, it includes a selection of good references which can be consulted for further details. There seems to be no doubt that this volume should be available to any research group interested in the use of stable or radioactive isotopes. T. I. TAYLOR
Inorg~nle Isotopic Synthesis, ROLFE H. HERBER (Ed.) W. A. Benjamin, Inc., New York, 1962, V I I + 249 pp. $7.50. ISOTOPICALLYlabeled compounds are used extensively in m a n y fields of research, and frequently by those not experienced in their preparation. Summaries of synthetic methods have been available for organic compounds and this volume now makes similar information available to those interested in isotopically labeled inorganic compounds of D, T, N 1~, 0 28, P, S35, C1, and 1TM. It not only gives procedures for m a n y of the important preparations but evaluates the relative merits of competitive methods and supplies over 900 references to the literature where further details can be obtained. T h e coverage of the field by the book is best summarized by the titles of its nine chapters: " G e n e r a l Procedures", 13 pp. (Seymour T. Zenchelsky); " I n o r g a n i c Deuterium Compounds", 50 pp. (Henry L. Crespi and Joseph J. Katz) ; "Syntheses with T r i t i u m " , 20 pp. (F. S. Rowland) ; "Nitrogen15", 45 pp. (W. Spindel); "Oxygen-18", 94 pp. (I. Dostrovsky and D. Samuel) ; "Radiophosphorus",
Technological Needs for Reduction of Patient Dosage From Diagnostic Radiology, Edited by MURRAY L. JANOWER. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, 1963. xviii + 339 pp. THE Medical Research Council's first report on The Hazards to Man of Nuclear and Allied Radiations (1956) gave an estimate of about 22 m r for the amount of radiation reaching the gonads of each m e m b e r of the population of this country per a n n u m as a result of diagnostic radiology. Lord Adrian's committee, reporting on a much wider survey m a d e in 1957, found the figure to be only about 14 mr. A table in the book under review specifies that in the U.S.A., with approximately the same n u m b e r of radiographic examination per capita per annum, the corresponding dose in 1955-56 may have been as high as 140 m r with a m i n i m u m about 50 mr. Moreover, the surveys on which these conclusions were reached were based on large hospitals and radiologists' practices, whereas--in New York City
Book reviews at least--85 per cent of medical X-ray equipment (some of it very old) is used by non-radiologists outside hospitals, so that the results m a y well be biased on the low side. T h e r e are two ways by which these doses may be reduced. The first depends on the techniques adopted by radiologists and their radiographers and the precision with which they limit the X - r a y beams, and the exposures, which they use. T h e second depends on the provision by physicists and engineers of more efficient films, fluorescent screens, image intensifiers and the like which make it possible to limit the exposures without losing radiographic quality. T h e Symposium recorded in this volume deals with the latter approach. It was held in Washington in March, 1962, under the auspices of the Division of Radiological Health of the U.S. Public Health Service, and was associated with the names o f J a n o w e r , Braestrup, Morgan, Webster and Wyckoff. T h e papers were divided into four sections, under the headings Dosimetry, Radiation Machines, Radiographic Grids, Films and Screens, and Fluoroscopy and Cinefluorography respectively, and are recorded complete with the discussions, some of which contain useful information. T h e y vary a little in standard, and some of the authors appear to have been unaware of quite extensive work done in this country on the topics discussed. Nevertheless, they form a valuable contribution to the literature of radiatio n protection, not only because some of the basic principles are set out very lucidly but also because attention is drawn to factors which ought to be brought under more control but which need convenient equipment to do it. This is a book which all students of radiology might well be given to read, and which could provide a useful stimulus to radiological physicists and engineers in their efforts to minimize what is easily the largest source of population irradiation in any country° C. B. ALLSOPP
639
First comes a description of the methods of estimating mutation frequency, and the effects of radiation on chromosomes; then a chapter on the relation of mutation frequency to dose, dose rate, and radiation quality; lastly a chapter on the factors which modify mutation frequency and chromosome damage. The last part of the book considers the fate of mutant genes in populations. A chapter on theory is followed by one on mutation in man, and the book is comt pleted by an account of the genetic hazard of radiations to the h u m a n populations. The information in the book is accurate, there are some good plates and diagrams and a good index. F r o m the point of view of the layman there is probably too m u c h detail and too little space devoted to explanations of aims or integration of results. This is particularly noticeable in the early chapters, where the account is rather condensed and fragmentary. M u c h of chapter three, for instance, interesting as it is in itself, does not help the reader to understand later chapters. Similarly, the mathematical models in the chapter on populations are unlikely to make this most important topic clear to the layman, and a more readable non-mathematical treatment might have been more appropriate. All but the most determined lay reader, therefore, will find this book hard going. Although it cannot be recommended to the layman, the book is m u c h more successful in fulfilling its secondary role, that of being useful to students and workers in other fields of science. It will, for instance, be appreciated by students taking the new post-graduate courses in radiobiology for, as the author points out, the original papers in the field are scattered among a great n u m b e r of journals and technical publications. Such readers will profit from the detailed and academic treatment. In view of this, it is a great pity that no references are given, though m a n y of these can be tracked down via the books recommended for further reading. C . W . LAWRENCE
Genetic Effects o f R a d i a t i o n s , C. E. PURDOM, George Newnes, 1963. 173 pp., 42s. THIS book has been written to provide the intelligent layman deficient in biology or physics with a readable account of radiation genetics. Essentially it has three roughly equal parts. In the first of these the reader is given a grounding in basic physics and genetics. Chapter one describes the different kinds of radiations, their effects on matter, and dosimetry, while chapters two and three introduce the principles of heredity, its chromosome and chemical basis, and gene action. T h e middle part of the book deals with mutagenesis.
Basic Safety Standards for R a d i a t i o n Protection, Safety Series No. 9, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1962. Available from International Publications, Inc., 801 Third Avenue, New York 22, New York, 57 pp., $1.50. SAFETY Series No. 9 contains the I.A.E.A.'s basic safety standards--standards prescribing permissible levels of exposure to radiation, fundamental operational principles, and practical control of radiation doses. T h e material presented in this publication