The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1896-09-19
THE ROENTGEN RAY.
or Great Use to Physicians In
Medical Research.


effected by the General Electric COM
pany, of Berlin, in the Roehtgen appa-
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 fuorescent screen. The re-
suits were demonstrated before medical
men representing the chief European
capitals at the recent 25th surgical
congress in Berlin. The screen em-
ployed measured about ten inches by
eighteen inches, and consists of small
crystals of platinocyanide of barium
busted on to an adherent surface. Al
though the results obtained are probably
capable of further improvements, still
they were sufficiently good to indicate
the probable value in the very near fu-
tnre of the tx" rays in diagnosing GER
tain conditions. They were, atany rate,
far in advance of anything that has ) ct
been achieved. It was thought on the
discovery of the TX" rays that new
epoch in diagnosis had been reached.
Experience, however, has since shown
that the application of the discovery
was restricted to the exploration OF the
extremities in the examination of bony
structure AMI in the search for foreign
bodies. The photography of the chest
and abdominal cavity by means of the
tx" rays has been attended with but
small success, at least to be of any value
~ Qxy
ever, Of this new tube, which appears to
afford the maximum energy in regard
to the production of "X" rays,the labor
and trouble of photography may be
dispensed with, and a direct vision of
certain abnormalities of the heart and
in the chest may, as was shown in this
demonstration, be gained.
The following were among the results
shown: When the head was placed he
tween the tube and the scS@:n the thick
ness of the scalp was eas>> visible, the
hair not appearing. The light pene-
trates the cartilages of the nose, which
are only visible in slight shadows. The
frontal cavity and the antrum of High
more are to be seen as distinctly light
er areas. In the neck are to be seen the
shadows of the esophagus. of the hyoid
bone. and the cartilages of the larynx
ithe last not as distinctly as the hyoid
bone), which both in rest and in move
ment are easily detected. If 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 sternum; OH both sides are TO
he seen horizontal shadows crossing
each other, which are plainly the ribs;
the lower margin of the thorax is repre-
sented by 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 inspira-
tion and expiration for about three
inches, is the diaphragm, and the darker
shadow on the right side is the liver and
the lighter on the left is the stomach.
This picture shows, further, that ,he
and the riLs are situated at
a very acute angle with one another.
Another big shadow is secn.immediate-
Iy above the diaphragm and in the r.id-
die of the thorax. This shadow (that of
the hearty consists of an intensely dark
central part with light periphery.
This movement Of the heart is distinct
ly visible, principally at the apex. but
on close examination the movement OF
the aorta may be noticed also. The
heart shadow and the movement are
emphasized after deep inspiration has
been taken through the stomach. The
limits of this organ may be well seen,
but the definition is fur better after it
has been distended by the administra-
tion of an effervescing mixture.
These results demonstrate pretty con-
clusively. we think, the possibility in
the neae future of the x rays becoming
a powerful aid in diagnosis coupled
with the employment of fluoresccnt
screen. Already it has been fruitful ir
not only confirming previous methods
of diagnosis, but in afrording means of
with. some precision GER
tain symptoms which by methods now
employed woald not be indicated. The
of a complex joint, such as
the carpus, we're clearly seen. and w:ll
throw new light upon surgical anat-
omy.-J.ondon Lancet
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