Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-01
USE OF THE X-RAY SURPRISING.
Advances Made by Science in Putting
Mysterious Properties Into Service.

Mysterious Properties Into Service.
At the present day X-ray photography
has become so much matter of ordi-
nary routine at all big hospitals that 1t
is no longer regarded with the wonder it
originally called forth
Today a radiograph can be taken
through the thickest parts of the human
body instantaneously-in the 9o0th part
of second A few years ago an ex-
posture of 20 minutes for a Photograph of
knee joint or elbow was not remark
able.
The methods of locating foreign bodies,
of treating skin diseases. of isolating
the rays and directing only where re-
quired have all attained a high point of
technical soundness. The field X-ray ap-
paratus has grown to a surprising ex-
tent, and an industry has sprung up of
the extent of which the general public
has little or no idea
One of the most interesting advances of
the last year is the single flash appara-
tus, with which instantaneous radio
graphs can be obtained, giving sharp
definition in the photographs and, OF
a minimum of discomfort to the patient.
This result-the high-water mark of
modern X-ray science-is brought about
only by a combination of all the most re-
cent advances in photographic apparatus.
although some time sgo DR.. Rosenthaf
and others obtained practically instanta-
neous results by the employment of very
large apparatus and heavy currents.
Apart from a specially wound induction
taiy; ir nd
provided with a very heavy secondary
winding of low resistance a particular
form of interrupter has been employed
which produces a sudden discharge of
current from the secondary winding OF
the coil to the X-ray tube of duration
of between LOO and 1-1000 second a
larger amount of energy being dis
charged owing to the heavy iron core
used in the construction of the coil.
The X-ray tubes used for these modern
heavy discharges represent distinct
scientific achievement in themselves. The
stream of rays from the cathode impinge
upon the anti-cathode and are thence re
fected down upon the object under treat
ment. A second two will suffice to
make even a heavy anti-cathode red hot,
and various means of cooling have been
adopted, such as forced air draft, water
cooling, and irradiation In certain re-
cent tubes the cathode itself is cooled
by special devices, SO great is the heat
produced.
The metal reflector used in the anti
cathode to defect the rays from the tube
has been a subject of considerable re-
search and a new material for the re-
/ gSten.
the melting point of which is about $500
grees c. Tubes of this metal will with
stand the heaviest currents, and it's ap-
plication is likely to prove extensive.
Another modern X-ray tube is provid-
ed with a window one part of the tube
being made of lithia glass, which is near
ly five times more transparent to the
softer rays than side glass. The window
is placed directly beneath the anti
catholics, and for therapeutic work.
where the soft rays are particularly
useful. this tube has been of value.
Various devices are also employed to
counteract the effect of the increase in
va cuum met with in all tubes after use
for some length of time, but such vacu-
UNI regulators, although serving their
purpose, still leave room for improve
!
ment in most cases.
The life of an X-ray tube can be In
creased and the risk of injury to the
operator from the harmful effects OF the
rsys considerably reduced AT the present
time by the use of an "intensifier
SCREEN" placed in contact with the plate.
Although the action of the Trays on
a. Photographic plate is decided, 1t is,
nevertheless, not so great as that of visi-
ble rays of longer wave length and the
screens referred to absorb the X-rays
and convert them by fuorescence into
blue or blush green rays, which have
far more pronounced Photographic ac-
ton.
In one such screen the normal time of
exposure is reduced by rs per cent; this
means that the life of the X-ray tubes
is heightened four times, while the IAN
ger of dematitis to the operator is re-
duced to one-fourth. Intensifier screens
have, needless to say. played an impor-
tant part in the single flash or instanta-
neous production of photographic pic
lures.
| A typical modern apparatus consists of
a heavy induction coil mounted on a
table provided with castors, so that it
can be wheeled about from one ward
to another in hospital If necessary, and
heavily insulated leads connect the ter
minals of the coil with the X-ray tube,
which can be touched without danger of
shock.-London Times. ID