The acute radiation syndrome. A memorial to William Michael Court-Brown.

The pattern of symptoms in 189 patients irradiated with a large single dose to one half of the body are described. Radiation sickness developed in 83 and 39% of upper half-body irradiation and lower half-body irradiation treatments respectively and the incidence is not reduced by sedatives or anti-emetics. Following treatment there is a latent period up to 90 min before a phase of acute upset and nausea and vomiting starts. This phase persists for about 6h with an average of six bouts of vomiting and is then followed by recovery.