The Independent Action Theory of Mortality as Tested at Fort Detrick
Abstract
The independent action theory is sometimes used as an approach to all-or none dosage-effect problems instead of the more usual dosage-effect methods such as probit analysis. With the probit and similar analyses, the basic assumption is of varying susceptibility among the subjects. With the independent action theory in its simplest form the assumption is that any toxic unit reaching the site of action will be effective. Each unit is believed to have a small but definite chance of hitting its mark; a higher percentage response to larger doses is produced by multiplication of this chance. This theory obviously does not assume varying susceptibility among subjects, and will logically lead to the same slope for all trials. If a is the chance of hitting the mark, the chance of escape is (1-a) for one toxic unit; for Z units, it is (1-a)2 ; for n units (1-a)n. Danger from bullets on a battlefield has been used as one illustration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- ADP014607
Entities
People
- Francis M. Wadley
Organizations
- United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories