The mechanism of the bactericidal action of radioactive Radiations I-Theoretical

Abstract

Much has been published upon disinfection by X-rays and the alpha, beta, and gamma radiations from radioactive substances, see for example, reviews by Packard (1931) and Lacassagne and Holweck (1934). The mechanism of disinfection, however, remains obscure. Theories have been proposed, but little attempt seems to have been made to analyse the implications of the various hypotheses and point by point to devise experiments to confirm or disprove them. Moreover, some writers have ignored the fact that the physical processes accompanying the passage of the various radiations through matter are fairly completely understood, and have suggested mechanisms incompatible with this knowledge. During the present research the authors had in mind three alternative hypotheses of the mechanism of disinfection by radiation, namely:— (1) secondary poisoning of the cell by chemical substances liberated in it by the radiation; (2) destruction of essential constituents of the cellular protoplasm by the radiation; (3) the “ target hypothesis ".