Recovery of Carbon Monoxide Poisoned Monkeys under X-Ray Treatment

Abstract

AN account of the differential recovery of carbon monoxide poisoned rats when exposed to x-rays has recently been published.3 It was based on the idea that, since illumination with strong visible light removes carbon monoxide inhibition in fish embryos (Fisher and Cameron4), the stronger radiations of x-ray might promote the recovery of larger, more opaque animals. The following report extends this work to the primates; selected, newly imported Macacus rhesus monkeys weighing from five to six pounds were used.5 Pure CO was prepared and stored as described by Fisher and Cameron. The atmosphere of the gas chamber was adjusted to contain 12.5 per cent CO by volume in air. In five experiments the test animal and the control were left in the 12.5 per cent CO for the same length of time and were removed simultaneously from the gas. The animals were placed in identical wooden boxes with wire-screened tops, and the test animal placed under the tube of a Victor x-ray machine (Snook model), operated at 140 kv.p.; t...