The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-12

the discussion OF scientific topics and IN
interchange Of ideas. experiences and opin-
ions upon various topics OF great moment
to themselves and to humanity as Wei. the
members Of the Washington State Medical
Society brought their ninth annual meet
ing to an end last night. The closing ex-
ercises were Of social nature. including .
reception and bread breaking at the Rain
Ter Club last night.
The last day OF tho meeting was enliv-
ened by a warm debate at the morning
session upon the use OF the x-ray in sur
E. Burns. Of Tacoma. lifted the proceedings
from the technical strata upcl which they
had rested by delivering an address on au-
:opsies in which he Caade the somewhat
startling announcement that in many au-
topsies, through the carelessness or igno-
rance Of the operator the valuable results
Of the operation was lost.
The morning session OF the society de-
yeloped the fact that there are progressW-
lists and conservativssts in the organfza-
ton and that sometimes their views clash.
This cropped out numberiess times in the
discussion of tho very interesting paper
read By President Eagieson on A-Kay N
Fractures" Owing to the growing use OF
the Crooks tube in science, and especially
in medicine and surgery. this paper was
nne OF the most interesting OF the entire
meeting DIR. Eagleson took the broad
ground that the science OF surgery should
utilize every facility presided by the
Roentgen ray in the examination OF Irac
lures and their treatment.
DIR. Eagleson's address covered wide
ground and IL was listened TO with every
Indication OF keen interest by the members
of the society. The paper was supplement-
ed by twelve excellent photographs taken
by Dr. A. b. Kibbe. showing variety OF
broken bones which had been jmperfectly
Joined together. leaving faulty UNION.
The Pros and Cons.
At the conclusion of DIR. Eagleson's pa
per q rather animated debate occupied the
attention of the assembled practitioners.
DIR, X A. j. Mckenzie, OF Portland,
sounded the conservative note in rather
energetic fashion. He declared that
physician could, by the sense or feeling,
detect the nature and characteristics or
broken bone, and that by the use OF rea-
sonable skill could effect a perfect union
OF the parts without the use of the A-ray
His opinion was that the Crooks tube was
not destined to WELD the influence in sur
gerry which some Of its most enthusiastic
adherents asserted 1t was pain that Dr..
Mckenzie does not look with entire APP
provo, upon the x-ray as a means for
facilitating surgical operations.
DIR. William Jones, also OF Portland, re-
piled to his fellow townsman IN a some
what acrimonious speech. at Is the faul.
OF my friend Mckenzie to cherish an In
clination to throw cold water upon the peo-
pie with whose opinions he does not agree, "
said DR. Jones. 'Tn fact. he would as soon
as not rip you up the back even IL he hap
persed TO coincide with you." This sally.
delivered in good-humored raillery, pro-
voked a laugh at the expense of DR.. Nc
Kenzie. Proceeding. DR.. Jones pointed 10
a case which had come under his notice.
The fracture was not complicated by any
abnormal conditions, and the patient
seemed in fair way TO recovery after the
bones had been set with the usual appli-
ances. In FIVE or six weeks, however. !:
was found that there was no union OF the
ends OF the broken bones. The wound was
opened and it was discovered that small
fragment OF bone had lodged between the
two ends and had prevented complete
union.
with the use of the X-ray plates" said
DR.. Jones. "snch an obstruction Of per-
feet union OF the bones could have been de-
ttcted IN Inc HfSI StaSss Oh the cdSSs anu
1t could have been Immediately removed,
allowing a speedy cure
DIR. kibbe then took up the discussion IN
behalf of the use Of the ray. He exhibited
a photograph OF a fracture of the arm OF
boy which clearly showed that a faulty
operation had been performed. THE father
Of this boy Is a lawyer" said DIR. Kibbe.
"As soon az he saw this photograph he
began preparing a suit against the attend
ing physician for malpractice. There Is
no. man here who VIII combat the as
sertion that an average jury, after looking
at this photograph, would not be strongly
moved to bring In damages against the
practitioner. The father came to me and
demanded the picture for use in preparing
his case. told him that the plate wac my
property and that under no circumstances
would allow him TO take advantage of IL
or use Il In his case against the physician.
The Incident mercy shows that the X-ray
Is a two-edged sword. I uphold the posi-
ton that the use of the ray IN countless
cases is followed by the most positive and
direct benefits In surgery and medicine"
DIR. kibhe's reference 20 the possible
damage suit brought DIR. Ssmonton 10 his
feet with an argument against the use OF
the ray. He said that photographs made
with the use Of the ray might be utilized
by INSCRIPTIONS people TO bleed physicians
with damage suits and the like.
DR.. kibbe's paper. "A Note on the Early
Diagnosis of Epidemic Cerebro-Spinal