Dose-Response Relationship in Radiation Leukæmia

Abstract

THE nature of the relationship between the dose of radiation, the method of irradiation and the consequent incidence of leukæmia is of considerable theoretical and practical importance. No agreement has, however, yet been reached about the general character of the relationship. This is partly due to the different methods of presentation of the available data, and Dr. D. J. Mewissen's desire to provide a theoretical basis for the use of one particular method¹ is understandable although, in our opinion, mistaken. According to Mewissen, “the development of leukæmia is clearly… a quantal response… From theoretical statistics we know that quantal effects exhibit a sigmoid dose-response curve. Adequate statistical treatment therefore requires probit analysis”. This in our opinion, is not so.