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

After spending two days proftahiy IN
the discussion of .scientlfsc topics and in
tnterchange of ideas. experiences and opin-
ions upon various topics of great moment
to themselves and to humanity as well. the
members OF the Washington State Medical
Society brought their ninth annual meet
ing 20 an end last night. The closing ex-
ercises were OF social nature. including q
reception and bread breaking az the Rain
Ter Club last night.
The last day OF the meeting was enliv-
ened by a warm debate at the morning
session upon the use of the X-ray in sur
gerry. At the afternoon session DR.. Arthur
e. Burns of Tacoma. lifted the proceedings
from the technical strata upon which tney
had rested by delivering an address on au-
topsles in which he made the somewhat
startling announcement that in many au-
topsies, through the care.essness or isno-
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 progressis-
lists and conseryatiysstS in the organlza-
ton and that sometimes their views ciasn.
This cropped out numbersess times in the
discussion of the very interesting paper
read by President Eagleson on "N-Ray N
Fractures" Owing to the growing use OF
the Crooks tube in science. and especially
IA medicine and surgery. TINS paper Wds
one OF the most interesting OF the ehtfs
meeting DIR. Eagleson took the broad
ground that the science of surgery should
utilize every facility proSioed Dy the
Roentgen ray In the examination Oh iraS
lures and their treatment
DIR. Eagleson's address covered wide
ground and it 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 DIR. A. Il. kibbe. showing variety OF
broken bones which had been imperfecty
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. lie declared that
physician could, by the sense of feeling,
detect the nature and characteristics or
broken bone, and that by the use or rea-
sonable skill could effect perfect union
OF the parts without the use of the Array.
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 d..
Mckenzie does not look with entire ap-
proyai upon the X-ray az means Tor
facilitating surgical operations.
DIR. William Jones, also or Portland. re-
Piled TO his fellow townsman IN some
what acrimonious speech. 1T Is the faul:
ok n sh IL
cllnation to throw cold water upon the peo-
pie with whose opinions he does not agree,
SAID Dr. Jones. "In fact. he would as soon
as not rip you up the back even IL he hap
pened to coincide with you" This sally,
delivered In good-humored raillery. pro-
voked laugh at the expense of DR.. Nc
Kenzie. Proceeding. DIR. Jones pointed TO
a case which had come under his notice.
The fracturs was not complicated oy any
abnormal conditions. and the patient
seemed in a fair way TO recovery after the
bones had been ser with the usual appl-
anees In five or six weeks, however. II
was found that there was no union OF the
ends Of the broken bones. The wound was
opened and ii was discovered that a 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 "sl,ch an obstruction of q per-
feet union of the bones could have been de-
tected In the first stages OF the case, ard
IL could have been Immediately removed.
allowing speedy cure.
DR. Kibhe then took up the discussion IN
behalf of the use OF the ray. He exhibited
a photograph OF fracture OF the arm of
boy, which clearly showed that faulty
operation had been performed. The father
of this boy is lawyer" said Dr. kihbe-
"As soon as he saw this photograph he
began preparing a suit against the attend
ing physician for malpractice. There Is
not man here who will 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 10 me and
demanded the picture for use In preparing
his case ! told him that the plate was my
property and that under no circumstances
would allow him TO take advantage of 1t
or use II In his case against the physician.
The Incident mercy shows that the X-ray
Is a two-edged sword. uphold the posi-
ton that the use of the ray IN countless
eases Is followed by the most positive and
direct benefits In surgery and medicine"
DIR. Kibbe's reference To the possible
damage suit brought DR.. S'rlonton 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
with damage suits and the like.
DIR. Kihbe's paper. a Note on the Early
Diagnosis of Epidemic Cerebro-Spinal
Meningitis" DR. C. A. Smiths report OF
the recent epidemic of diphtheria IN Seat
tie and DR.. SharpIes' paper entitled 'N-Ray
in Thoracic Diseases" formed the bulk of
the afternoons work. Or. Sharpies exhio-
tied a number OF photographs made by the
aid of the Roenigen ray. showing the pro-
greses OF diseases of the lungs and bronchial
tubes. DIR. Willis and DR. Musgrave. OF
Fairhayen. each reported on interesting
cases that had come 10 their notice
laundering Autopsi-s.
In his paper entitled ''Some Remarks on
PoS:-Nortem Examinations, Or. Burns
declared that in countless aatorsies. the
cause OF death had either not been found
by the physician In charge or IL had been
Incorrectly reported In the official report,
Human flesh WAS hacked by men incapable
OF welding the seainel. Instead % skin
ard SCIENCE. in many cases dense igno-
rance governed the conduct OF the autopsy