The purpose of the present study was sixfold: 1. To study the effects of x-irradiation on spinal cord activity. 2. To study the effects of CNS drugs on spinal cord function as reflected by changes in the ventral root potentials. 3. To ascertain whether one can alter the observed spinal response to ionizing radiation by applying CNS drugs prior to, during, and following x-irradiation of a given spinal cord segment. 4. To shed some light on the role of higher brain centers on spinal reflexes. 5. To shed some light on the loci of radiation insult to the spinal cord. 6. To establish evidence for a possible drug-irradiation interaction in mammals.