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Woe!
 
What do you mean that they irradiated newborn children?  That would
certainly destroy the immune cells in the thymus, but why would they do it
unless they thought the gland to be harmful (not just useless)?  The
thymus's destruction is something they do in animal experiments to make it
where they can reintroduce immune cells of their choice to test the function
of those cells when they have been "educated" in another animal's thymus.
The thymus would be critical to eliminating autoreactive T cells.  In fact,
I've heard that 95% of T cells are normally destroyed through apoptosis and
phagocytosis before they leave the thymus precisely because they are either
self-reactive, or unable to recognise antigen in the context of the MHC
receptor (something related to tissue type). Please tell me there has to be
more to the story than that they thought it a useless organ...
 
Does anyone else remember this incredible practice? I wonder if  this
coincided with the practice of discouraging breast feeding, or did it
antedate that equally immune-compromising practice?
 
I wonder if they can tell if your thymus is alive and well through
ultrasound. A Surra, have you ever had an immune panel done on you to see
what immune system factors you do have?  We are about to do the same on both
my daughter and me using Panel A (5020) called the Immune Dysfunction
Encephalopathy Panel from Antibody Assay Laboratories in Santa Anna, CA.  It
tests immunoglobulin levels, T cell subsets, lymphocyte stimulation,
antibody titres to immunized substances, and gluten sensitivity.  T'ain't
cheap.
 
Your story is incredible!
 
Susan
 
> Up to at least fifty years ago, some
>obstetricians had newborns taken to x-ray for destruction of the thymus
>gland.  Since my obstetrician was one of those, I have wondered about my
>neonatal treatment. These obstetricians believed that the thymus gland
>served no useful purpose. Interesting theory, BUT!
>--
>A Surra <[log in to unmask]>San Antonio, TX
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                            (Walter & Susan Owens)
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                            Dallas, Texas  USA