Fundamentals of Radiobiology

Abstract

By Z. M. Bacq, Professor in the University of Liėge, Cor-responding Member of the Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium, and Peter Alexander, Chester Beatty Research Institute, Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Cancer Hospital, London. A volume of 390 pages, with numerous illustrations, graphs and tables. Published by Academic Press Inc., N. Y. and Butterworths Scientific Publications, London, 1955. Price $6.50. Published in French as Principes de Radiobiologie, by Masson & Cie, Paris, 1955. Price 4,250 fr. This survey of research in the field of radiobiology covers the work of physicists, chemists, biologists, and clinicians. Included are theories of the action of radiation on matter and experiments designed to test them, a discussion of the chemical and biological factors which alter the response to radiation, observations on the general effects of ionizing radiations on human beings, and the possible dangers to the population. The book should stimulate research workers because it correlates the work of so many specialists, setting forth the trend of present studies and pointing out possibilities for future experiments. The extensive bibliographies at the end of each chapter should be of especial value to newcomers entering this field, and the warnings of pitfalls to be avoided in the design of experiments should be a help. Radiotherapists will be interested in the experiments which determine the mechanism of the action of the radiation whose results they observe. In this day of concern over danger to the race from nuclear energy, the radiologist is often called on for advice. He will find here in concise form the present status of knowledge on this subject.