Evening star., 1951-10-26
Organism Found to Fight
Disease After Radiation

1tSSOS6 HItGI NUOIUVIOH
Atom Scientists Tell Findings
On Intestinal Bacteria
By Thomos R. Henry
Finding of a hitherto unknown or
ganism which protects animals against
infection following severe radiation has
just been announced through the Atomic
Energy Commission.
1t is form of bacteria which has
been found to be the predominant Or
ganism Of the small intestines of two
strains Of rats which have been very
rigidly bred for use in biological ex-
perimentS It was found in very small
numbers in the small intestine, blood
and other organs Of ordinary rats. In
the intestinal tracts Of all living erea-
lures, including man, are vast number
OF bacteria which apparently play no.
table part in various life processes.
One of the major dangers from heavy
irradiation. especially by X-rays or
gamma rays. is the extreme likelihood Of
infection due to such causes as destruc-
ton Of white blood cells, which reduces
resistance to invading disease germs.
Now, it has been found, the severity
OF symptoms appearing after strong ir-
radiation is markedly reduced in &C
cordance with the number of these or
ganisms found in the small intestine.
The rats which retained high counts
showed very little evidence of post
irradiation infection. This was espe-
cially true in the case Of invasion by
the so-called gram-negative organisms,
such as the staphylococcus. This oc-
Cured only when there was a decided
drop in the count Of the new organisms
Antibiotic Type Of Penicillin.
In test-tube experiments this organ
Ism was found to produce an antibiotic
Of the type of penicillin, which was quite
potent against gram-negative organisms.
The finding was reported by James
Vincent and Robert Veomett Of the
Atomic Energy Project at the Univer-
sity of Rochester.
The new organism is described as ex-
tremely minute and "pleomorphic"
that is, appearing in different forms
during its life cycle. It may be bac-
terial type which has been present in
the intestinal tracts Of rats-and prob
ably other mammals-from the begin
ming but in too small numbers to have
been identified.
The pure-bred strains of rats in which
it was found to be so abundant are
often used in radiation experiments.
The increase may be a protective re-
sponse of nature to a new danger now
threatening the animal organism.
There have been two major develop
ments in artificial arms and legs since
the war-the suction socket and cine
plasty.
This is the report of an advisory COM
mittee of the National Research Council,
which has carried out extensive research
in cooperation with the Armed Forces
and the Veterans Administration. Both
originated in Europe but have been
greatly improved in the United States
under the committees stimulus.
The suction socket is a method of
suspension Of artificial legs for above
knee amputees BY carefully fitting the
socket to the stump and using small
air valve, sufficient vacuum is created
between stump and socket to retain the
leg in place, even under quite rough con-
ditions.
Cineplasty consists Of the construc-
ton Of tunnel through muscle pri-
marily to provide source of energy for
movement of artificial limbs. It now is
the subject Of an intensive program.
This development work, according to
the report of the committee, started at
the various centerS as soon as possible
after the initiation Of the fundamental
studies.
The Army Prosthetics Research Gen.
ter. for example. has developed volun-
tary closing hook for arm amputees.
Previously the grasping power of hook
was produced by tensions provided by
rubber bands and could not be control
led readily by the wearer. With the new
hook it becomes possible to handle an
ice cream cone without crushing it,
and moment later to use screw driver
or pair of pliers.
New Type Of Hand.
A new artificial hand has been pro-
duced which utilizes essentially the same
mechanism used in the hook This hand.
fabricated mainly Of stainless steel and
aluminium alloy. is covered by an ex-
ceedingly realistic plastic glove. This
glove, the committee announces, is thin,
inexpensive and can be mass produced.
A survey of skin colors has shown that
six basic shades will satisfy 95 per cent
OF the white population, fact which
permits finished gloves to be stocked by
a dealer. Lifelike gloves are not new,
but those that have been developed in
the past have been expensive, custom
made articles, too inf1exible for use over
what is intended as functional hand.
The Navy artificial limb shop at Oak
land. Calf, has been active in use Of the
cmeplasty operation. It had devised
functional ankle which provides a con-
siderable approach to natural action, a
plastic shank, and a knee unit which
automatically adjusts for changes in
walking cadence.
Among the major developments has
been that Of the Air Forces Aero
Medical Laboratory. where hydraulic
knee unit has been produced. The
primary purpose of this device is to
provide the amputee with a means of
reducing the hazard of falling and to
provide natural gait.
Many other promising items and tech
niques now are in various stages Of de-
velopment and testing, according to the
Nof