The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-08-20
THE RoENTGEN RAY.
OF Great Use to Physicians In
Medical Research
A New Epoch In the Diagnosis Of Diseases
Has Been ReAcl;ed-SomS Of the
Wonders of the Great
Discovery.

Discovery.
An important improvement has been
effected by he~General Electric COM
pany, of Berlin, in the Roentgen apra-
ratus, ami especially in the vacuum tube,
so thatit is possible to observe peculiari-
ties in the interior of the head and
throat. and especially the action of the
lungs and heart, by direct inspection
with the duorescent screen. The re-
suits were demonstrated before medical
men representing the chief European
capitals at the recent 25th surgical
congress in Berlin. The screen en-
ployed measured about ten inches BY
eighteen inches, and consists of small
crystals OF platinocyanide OF barium
busted on to an a6herent surface. Al
though the results obtained are probably
capable of further improvements. st:ll
they were sufficiently good to indicate
the probable value in the very near fu-
ture of the OK" rays in diagnosing GER
tain conditions. They were, at any rate,
far in advance of anything that has ct
been achieved. 1t was thought on the
discovery of the tx" rays that new
epoch in diagnosis had been reached.
that the application of the discovery
was restricted TO the exploration of the
eXtremities in the examination of bopy
structure AMI in the search for foreign
bodies. The photography of the chest
and abdominal cavity by means of the
OK" rays has been attended with but
small success, at least to be of any value
in medical diagnosis. By means, how
ever, of this new tube, which appears to
afford the maximum energy in regard
to the production of OK rays, the labor
and trouble of photography may be
dispensed with, and a direct vision OF
certain abnornalities of the heart ana
in the chest may, as was shown in this
demonstration, be gained.
The following were among the results
shown: When the head was placed be-
tween the tube and the screen the thick
ness Of the scalp was easily visible, the
hair not appearing. The light pene-
trates the carriages OF the nose, which
are only visible in slight sha6ows. The
frontal cavity and the antrum of High
more are to DE seen as distinctly l\GGt-
er areas. In the neck are to be seen the
shadows of the esophagus, of the hyoid
bone, and the cartridges of the larynx
(the last not as distinctly as the hyoid
bone), which both in rest and in move.
ment are easily detected. II the light
be thrown through the thorax from be.
hind, the screen gives the following pic
ture: In the middle occurs dark broad
stripe, the eternum; on both sides are to
be seen horizontal shadows crossing
each other. which are plainly the ribs;
the lower margin Of the thorax is repre-
scented by a shadow, the left side OF
which is pale and thin, but the right
side is intensely dark. The picture Is
still better if the rays be thrown from
the front and the screen placed behind.
only in this case the vcrtebrae are seen,
and not the sternum. The shadow line,
which is constantly moved ON inepira-
ton and expiration for about three |
inches, Is the diaphragm, and the darker |
shadow on the right siaeis the liver and
the lighter on the left is the stomach.
This picture shows, further, that The |
and the ribS are situated al |
n very acute angle with one another, |
big shadow is seen Immediate |
ly above the diaphragm and in the mid |
Ole of the thoraS. This shadow Chat Of |
the hesrt) consists of an intensely lark |
central part with light periphery.
This movement Of The heart is distirct.
" visible, principally at the epex. hut
on close examination the movement OF
the aorta may be noticed elso. The
heart shadow and the movement are
after q deep inspiration has
been taken through the stomach. The
limits of this organ may be we'll seen,
but the definition is far better after II
has been distended by the asninistra,
ton of sn efservescfng mixture.
These results demon irate pretty con-
,lusively. we think, the possibility II
the near future Of the K rays becoming
, powerful aid in diagnosis coupled
with the employment Of fuorescent
screen. Already II has been fruitful il
aot only confirming previous methodi
If diagnosis, but in afTSrding means ei
with some precision Ger.
ain symptoms which by methods now
would not be indicated. Tha
movement Of a COMPLEX joint, such al
he carpus, we're clearly seen, and vi |
brow new light upon surgical anat
IN Y II nndan annef