The role of x-rays in the treatment of gas gangrene: a historical assessment.

Abstract

While the use of x-rays to treat patients with gas gangrene ended in the early 1940's with the advent of antibiotics, x-ray had been widely accepted as a useful and highly effective treatment for this condition. The present paper re-assesses the historical foundations of this belief, the quality of the data, use of confirmatory animal models, and underlying mechanisms that might account for the therapeutic role of x-rays in the treatment of gas gangrene.

• Authors: Edward J Calabrese, Gaurav Dhawan
• Journal: Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society (Dose Response) Vol. 10 Issue 4 Pg. 626-43 (Dec 2012) ISSN: 1559-3258 [Print] United States
• PMID: 23304109 (Publication Type: Journal Article)