[C] 1.8 Irradiations and electricity as cause of disease

Question 1

Electricity as a cause of disease

Answer 1

• Touching/biting a wire
• Hit by lightning bolt
• Death = Electrocution

Question 2

Give the influencing factors of electrocution

Answer 2

Influencing factors

• Current intensity, voltage, duration, earthing
• Resistance of the body (skin, wet ground)

Question 3

As voltage increases…

Answer 3

Resistance decreases

Question 4

Which current is most dangerous?

Answer 4

Alternating current

not direct current

Question 5

Medium amperage causes…

Answer 5

Disturbances

• Brain = Loss of consciousness
• Heart failure = Cardiac arrest

Question 6

Give the pathological signs of electrocution

Answer 6

• Entry: Current marks and arboreal patterns
• The cavity between str. corneum and str. spinosum (of skin)
• Electrolytic effect (direct current)
• Metallisation
• Spastic contractions
• Mechanical changes - secondary shock wave

Question 7

Arboreal patterns from electrocution are caused by…

Answer 7

m. erector pili

Question 8

Electrolytic effect

Answer 8

Coagulation, necrosis of tissues

Question 9

Metallisation

Answer 9

Dispersed metallic particles

Question 10

Spastic contractions are due to which nerve?

Answer 10

Vagus

Question 11

Mechanical changes from electrocution

Answer 11

• Fractures of bones
• Ruptures etc.

Question 12

Irradiation energy

Answer 12

• Electromagnetic rays
  
  • Ultra-short waves
  • Infrared waves
  • Visible rays
  • Ultraviolet rays
• Ionising rays

Question 13

Ultra-short waves

Answer 13

Microwaves - warming

Question 14

Infrared waves

Answer 14

• Warm surface radiations
• Capillary dilation - increased metabolic processes

Question 15

Visible waves

Answer 15

Have psychological effect

Question 16

UV waves

Answer 16

Biologically pathogenic effect

• Endangered organs: eyes, skin
• Carcinogenic effect
• Photosensibilisation alkaloids in the food
• Photochemical reactions (Vit D)
• Sunlight - dermatitis solaris

Question 17

Ionising rays

Answer 17

Can be positive or negatively charged

• Effect: Dose, ionisation, penetrability
• Cosmic rays
• Particular radiations
• EM rays (X- and Gamma)
• Abnormal cell division

Question 18

Ionising radiations with pathogenic effects

Answer 18

• Alpha - Greatest ionising ability - low penetrability
• Beta - Lower ionising ability - High penetrability

Question 19

Irradiation sickness is split into…

Answer 19

• Phase I
• Phase II
• Phase III
• Phase IV

Question 20

Pase I irradiation sickness

Answer 20

Initial phase after 1-2 hours

• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Exhaustion
• Anorexia
• Nervousness
• Alopecia

Question 21

Pase II irradiation sickness

Answer 21

Latent phase

• 1-2 days without signs

Question 22

Pase III irradiation sickness

Answer 22

Sickness - After a week

• Bone marrow lesions: Hemopoietic insufficiency
• No phagocytosis, no antibody production

Question 23

Pase IV irradiation sickness

Answer 23

Breakdown - 4-5 months later

• Diarrhoea
• Anaemia
• Kidney & liver failure
• Malignant tumours

Question 24

Lesions of radiation in lymphocytes

Answer 24

• Lymphopenia
• Smaller lymph nodes

Question 25

Lesion of radiation in bone marrow

Answer 25

Hypoplasia

Question 26

Lesions of radiation in testicles/ovaries

Answer 26

* Atrophia * Fibrosis

Question 27

Lesion of radiation in the lens

Answer 27

Opacity

Question 28

Lesions of radiation in the skin

Answer 28

* Ulcers * Tumors

Question 29

Lesions of radiation in cartilage

Answer 29

* Retarded growth * Malformation of the legs

Question 30

Lesions of radiation in the fetus

Answer 30

Developmental anomalies

Question 31

Meteoropathology

Answer 31

Hot/cold fronts * Is there a connection between the fronts and diseases? * Colic in horses * Erysipelas in pigs

Question 32

External causes of diseases

Answer 32

* Physical effects * Chemical effects * Toxicosis * Biological effects * Infectious agents * Virus, bacteria, fungi, prions, protozoa