The times., 1889-08-23
PICTURES OF PATIENTS.
Photography by Flash Light a Great Aid
to Physicians.

cdScS VI tuo JOluIS anu uelOrIIiltlcS,
who has given much time and thought
TO 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 ii to illustrate his
address.
DR.. 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 a
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 a 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
tent by sunlight in his Office or in the
ward of hospital the result is unsatis-
factory. The lights cannot be regu-
lated so as to produce 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 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 it 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 a 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 powder.
This produces a 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 s"''c instant. To
accomplish this COLL able practice
is necessary. Certainly 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. A small magnet attached to
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 a 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
is placed in an elliptical trough in
front Of a large concave mirror, which
serves to reflect the light and increase
the effect. The mirror is attached to
a movable tripod in such q manner
that it may be adjusted to reflect the
light in any direction. Short sections
of steel wire are placed in the trough,
being connected by insulated wires
with the battery and keyboard. The
current heats these wires to incandes-
cence, and thus ignites the powder.
A battery of three cells of ordinary
size is sufficient TO operate the light
and camera. The whole apparatus is
portable and may be set up in any Or
dinary room in few minutes.
Photography has heretofore been
used to reproduce the appearance of pa
tients afflicted with hunchback, spinal
curvature, club foot, diseases of the
joints and skin diseases. The improve
ments in photography and the use of
flash light will extend the use of the
art to nearly every branch of medical
science. 1t will enable physician
to photograph patient before treat
ment, during treatment and after
treatment, thus showing every stage Of
a disease, and the effect of the method
of treatment followed. 1t will enable
the physician to obtain evidence that
every one will accept as to the sever
ity of the case and the success of the
treatment. Photography may be en-
ployed during surgical operations to
show the exact position of the surgeon
and his assistants during important
operations. The direction of the in
cision and the parts exposed may be
shown, and in. fact the whole process
of a modern surgical operation may be
reproduced by photography. This will
be of great value for the instruction