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The effect of microwave diathermy on the peripheral circulation and on tissue temperature in man

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Gersten JW, Wakim KG, Herrick JF, Krusen FH · 1949

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1949 research confirmed microwaves can measurably affect human blood circulation and tissue temperature.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1949 study examined how microwave radiation affects blood circulation and tissue temperature in humans for therapeutic applications. The research was conducted during the early development of magnetron technology, which could generate high-power microwaves in the 300 to 300,000 megacycle frequency range. The study represents one of the earliest investigations into how microwave energy interacts with human tissue.

Why This Matters

This historical study is significant because it represents some of the earliest human research into microwave effects, conducted just as magnetron technology became powerful enough for biological applications. What's striking is that researchers in 1949 were already investigating how microwaves interact with human circulation and tissue heating - the same fundamental mechanisms we're concerned about today with wireless devices. The frequency range studied (300 to 300,000 megacycles) encompasses many of today's wireless technologies, from WiFi to cell phones to 5G. While this research focused on therapeutic heating applications, it established early evidence that microwaves can produce measurable biological effects in human tissue. The reality is that the same electromagnetic energy being studied for medical benefits in 1949 is now surrounding us constantly through our wireless devices, often at levels that can produce similar tissue heating effects.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Gersten JW, Wakim KG, Herrick JF, Krusen FH (1949). The effect of microwave diathermy on the peripheral circulation and on tissue temperature in man.
Show BibTeX
@article{the_effect_of_microwave_diathermy_on_the_peripheral_circulation_and_on_tissue_te_g6563,
  author = {Gersten JW and Wakim KG and Herrick JF and Krusen FH},
  title = {The effect of microwave diathermy on the peripheral circulation and on tissue temperature in man},
  year = {1949},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The study examined microwaves in the 300 to 300,000 megacycle range (equivalent to 300 MHz to 300 GHz today). This broad spectrum includes frequencies now used by cell phones, WiFi, and 5G networks.
The multicavity magnetron developed by 1940 could generate high-power microwave output at the highest frequencies. This breakthrough provided sufficient energy levels to study therapeutic heating effects in human tissue for the first time.
Researchers measured changes in peripheral blood circulation and tissue temperature in human subjects. These represented some of the first documented biological responses to controlled microwave exposure in humans.
Military applications of magnetron technology during World War II prevented investigation of therapeutic uses. The technology was classified for radar development, limiting civilian medical research until after the war.
The frequency range studied overlaps significantly with today's wireless technologies. Cell phones operate around 800-2600 MHz, WiFi uses 2400-5800 MHz, all within the original research spectrum that showed biological effects.