The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1889-08-08
PICTURES OF PATIENTS.
Photography by Flash Light Great Al
to Physfcfans

Photography by Flash Light Great Aid
to Physicians.
Milton j. Roberts, a specialist in dis
eases of the joints and deformities,
who has given much time and thought
10 the subject of medical photography,
delivered an interesting address before
the photographed section of the
American institute on the subject of
Flash Light Photography in Medi-
cine and Surgery" DR.. Roberts, who
is connected with the hospitals on
Randall's Island and with the Wo-
mans and st. Elizabeth hospitals in
this city, has devised some very valu-
| able apparatus for flash light photog-
raphy, and used it to illustrate his
address.
DIR. Roberts said that the utiliza-
ton of photography by physicians is
a work that is now attracting much
| attention. The fundamental basis of
success in medicine and surgery is the
| accumulation of accurate records and
the arrangement Of data on which to
base opinions. Without more positive
records of cases than physicians de-
scriptions disputes are endless. As q
record of evidences of phenomenal
| growth, abnormal developments and
deformities and parasites and germ
life, photography is of especial value.
Words describing objects, however
accurate, do not convey to the mind
the actual condition of affairs. A
picture must be presented to the mind
before a person is in position to
judge of particular case. For doing
this there is nothing to compare with
photography.
The ordinary form of photography,
which employs sunlight, requires spe-
cially constructed rooms. If q ply
sician attempts to photograph pa
tient by sunlight in his Office or in the
ward1f hospital the result is unsatis-
factory The lights cannot be regu-
lated so as to produce a good picture.
| Sunlight is too inconstant and subject
TO such great variations that it can
seldom be used. The activity Of the
rays OF light varies in strength with
| the time of the day, the season, the
latitude and the amount Of moisture
in the atmosphere. Ideal photography
for medical and surgical purposes in
wolves the making Of good pictures in
the homes of patients and in the offices
of physicians. Many patients will OBJ
ject to be taken to public galleries
when they would consent to be pho
tographed in a private room. Ply
sicians should be able TO take photo
graphs of patient at any time of the
day, when the work is most conven-
lent and the conditions are most suit
able. This renders ii necessary that
all of the apparatus be portable and
the lights be artificial.
Artificial lights may be divided into
two kinds-those Of long and those OF
short duration. Lights of long dura-
ton are the magnesium ribbon light,
the electric light, the oxy-hydrogen
light, gas light and oil lamps. In the
present state of Photographic art, pro
| longed exposure is unnecessary. All
that is needed, therefore, is bright
light of ordinary duration or the flash
light
| The form of this light best adapted
for the use of photography for medical
purposes is in the shape of a powder.
| This produces broad sheet of flame
the instant that it is ignited. 1t is es-
| sential that the exposure OF the plate
in the camera and the ignition OF the
| powder occur at the same instant TC
accomplish this considerable practice
Is necessary. Certainty of action in
manipulating both the light and the
shutter Of the camera is best obtained
| by the use of an electric current
| The apparatus for doing this is very
simple. 4 small magnet attached te
the front of the camera has lever
connected with its armature, which
holds the shutter in position. On clos
ing the shutter, by means Of q key
board at q convenient distance, the
shutter Is released and the plate ex
posed. The current at the same time
ignites the magnesium powder. This
ts placed In an elhptical trough II
front ofa large concave mirror, which
serves to reflect the light and increase
the effect The mirror Is attached tC
q movable tripod in such manner
that it may be adjusted TO reflect Tho
| light in any direction Short sections
OF steel wire are placed in the trough
being connected by insulated wire.
with the battery and keyboard. The
current heats these wires TO incandes
cence, and thus ignites the powder
4 battery Of three cells OF ordinary
size is sufficient 10 operate the ligh
and camera The whole apparatus i
portable and may be set up in any or
dinary room in a few minutes.
| Photography has heretofore beer
used to reproduce the appearance OF pa
tients afflicted with hunchback, spina
curvature, club foot, diseases OF tn.
Joints and skin diseases. The improve
ments in photography and the use O.
dash light will extend the use of tn,
art to nearly every branch of medica
science. Ii viii enable 9 physician
70 photo.,i@ph patient before treat
! ment e is treatment and aftel