The action of X-rays on certain bacteria

Abstract

The action of radiation (including X-rays) on living organisms is as yet very incompletely known. Since the resulting effect is due to a number of factors, it is imperative to study first the simplest type of organism, a single cell, and to attempt to discover the variations due to different factors. In this paper an account is given of a number of experiments on B . coli , and a few on Sarcina lutea and Phytomonas medicaginis var. phaseolicola ; B . coli was chosen because it is of simple structure, is free from clumping, and has been studied extensively in other directions. Although much has been written on this and allied subjects, there are available few quantitative results which are essential to a solution of the problem. Throughout the literature occur many inconsistencies; some early workers considered that X-rays had no effect on bacteria, while some found stimulation and some killing. In many instances little or no experimental evidence is brought forward in support of stated views.