PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HEATING THE SKIN WITH MICROWAVE AND INFRARED RADIATION

Research was conducted to elucidate the optical and thermal properties of human and animal skin. Spectrophometric measurements were made in the spectral region from 0.4 to 20 microns for white, pigmented human skin and for animal skin. Thermal measurements were also necessary to determine the thermal diffusion and thermal inertia of the skin. These studies were followed by the analysis of the effects of radiation to producing pain sensation, temperature sensation and thermal burns. From theoretical considerations, it was deduced that the temperature of the burn area following influction on the burn was important in regard to pain, healing time and burn development. It would appear that these results have practical application in the problem of mans treatment of burns as well as in the hospital treatment of mild burns. Studies have also been carried out in respect to the heating of the skin by 3 cm and 10 cm microwave radiation. These results appear to have practical application in the problem of radiation safety to Navy personnel operating radar equipment. A bibliography of progress reports and scientific publications containing detailed descriptions of the experiments along with analyses of the results is presented.