Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-29
SHADOwGRAPHs IN SURGERY.
Opinions of Two Prominent Menu
hers of Medical Profession.


Professor Bull, who occupies the Chair
OF Surgery in the College OF Physicians
and Surgery, New York city, in speak
ing of the value to medicine and surgery
of Roentgen's discovery, said: "As usual,
the entire civilized world has enthused
over a discovery, the beneficial results
Of which to humanity are now only pre-
sumed. I am. however, OF the opinion,
that it Will take some time to develop
this application OF 'X'-rays. At present
the results attained do not promise any
thing OF great value to advanced sur
gerry. OF course, the shadowgraphs OF
hands, which are now exhibited every
where, may be made useful in some
branches of the profession, but in com
parison with the vast revelations which
the X-ray impressions OF the brain, tho
rax, and abdomen would effect, only
the rudiments of the discovery have been
reached thus far.
Take, for instance, a case OF appen-
dlcitis. If / could get a Photographic
impression exhibiting the exact state or
Inflammation of the little vermiform APP
pendix, also showing the situation OF
whatever intestinal adhesions there might
be, and the quantity OF pus in the dis
eased appendix, / should be relieved from
much bran-work, and should feel more
positive OF the minor details Of my d.
agnosis.
applied to internal concerns. If the
different density OF certain conditions
Of tissues should be manifested In the
Impressions on sensitive plates, surgeons
would cease TO be puzzled in these
cases; at presen: certain degree OF
II. I.lln aal.
to be the remote possibilities OF the fu-
ture development OF Roentgen's discovery.
and IL all this IS realized it will be
the most important knowledge ever placed
at the disposal OF medical science. 1t
might then even be pronounced the first
insight into the hidden mysteries of life,
q guide to the future solution"
DIR. Paul Gibier, OF the New York
Pasteur Institute. said that he had not
as vet been able to see practical de-
monstrations of the application of X
RAYS to the human form in diseased con-
ditions
but, how about the possibilities?" 1
asked.
"Ah-the possibilties-well, I should say
that they are very encouraging
think the new rays have in them a
potency which may revoutionize medi-
cine and surgery; but the question is,
VIII men be able to master and direct
them? That is the point that must be
demonstrated before positive state
ment can be made by any conservative
scientific man. i admit that 1t is quite
likely that this invisible influence may
prove sufficiently potent to localize tu-
mors and other equally dangerous
foreign matters in the human body;
10 N itG infancy and
doubtless must pass through Its seven
ages. the same as man, before II can COM
mand high honors from the world. II
must be developed.
1T Is serious question in my mind
as TO whether the relative density OF the
tissues will establish a sufficient distinc-
ton between the different organs when
the experiments arrive at the point where
thew can obtain shadowgraphs OF the
body. or course, all dead matter or
broken-down tissue is denser than healthy
matter, and the suggestion seems not
impossible As regards the possibility OF
locating bullets in the brain. ! take this
TO be the most difficult OF all. II the
shadowgraphlng OF the liver, heart, or
the spleen Is demonstrated to be merely
a matter OF a variation or shade-as-
suming. OF course. that the body may be
neutrality-suspicious. the same pivfN79
may be applied to the brain. 1t Is quite
possible that even the two thicknesses
OF bone to be penetrated in the latter In
stance may prove less obstructive than
the foreign body, and so locate II. But
even In case this proves true, Ii VIII be
necessary to make two shadowgraphs
One would only locate the foreign matter
from one point OF view, and cross-section
would have TO be made to get the exact
uositlon OF the bullet, which would be
very exhausting to the sufferer, unless
II could be done very quickly.
'If the efforts now In progress TO force
this strange influence through the thicker
narts OF the human form are crowned
with success, 1t seems perfectly consist
| ent 10 assume that metallic substances
| could be readily localized. The introduce
| ton OF the rays at the front and side OF
| the ,horax, or chest, should exhibit the
| nolnt OF intersection OF the two lines OF
rays. giving accurate measurements OF
location. which would enable the surgeon
TO Introduce the probe and extract the
foreign matter without hesitation. AT
present. he must search In the dark,
under an extreme 'needle-in-a-haystack'
| condition" ..- M