The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-19
PIONEER IN X-RAY STUDY.
DR.. w. ]. Dodd, Graduate of University
Of Vermont. Died in Boston.

Boston, Dec. l0.-Dr. Walter james
Dodd, long widely known in the mediea
profession for his deep research into th'
use of the X.ray aud one OF the pioneers
in the study of this science, died early
yesterday at his home at 37i Marlboro
street. He was born A. years ago IN
London, England, and on coming to this
country took his medical course at the
University OF Vermont Medical school
Following his graduation, he became one
of the earliest OF those who have made
careful study OF the N.ray and its APP
plicatiOn 10 the possible curing OF dis
eases and general practical use by the
medical profession.
Dr. Dodd went to the Massachusetts,
General hospital in 1892 as assistant
apothecary. Previous to this he had
been in the chemical laboratory Mt Har.
ward, where he made so distinct an i'm
preston upon the authorities that they
interested him in chemistry and pre-
vailed upon him to give up mis- youthful
desire to go to ss6. In 1896 he became
apothecary at the Massachusetts General
hospital II was in this year that Roent-
gen published to the world his discovery
of the X.ray and its probable diagnostic
value in connection with the human
body.
Mr.. Dodd was the official photographer
of the hospital, as well as apothecary,
and he seized upon this new line of pho
tographic work with the enthusiasm and
persistence which have always character
lied him. He was a pioneer in X-ray
work in Boston and America, and he
made many valuable contributions TO the
progress of the science. In 1908 he re-
ceived his degree as doctor OF medicine
from the University of Vermont, and
since that year had been officially what
he was before in fact, the Roentgenoio-
gist of the Massachusetts, General hos
pital.
In 1915. although just recovered from
an operation, he went abroad with the
Harvard unit, and in the British hospital
he rendered most valuable service by
using the Horoscope in searching bullets,
bits of shell, and other foreign bodies in
the persons of wounded soldiers. His ex-
perience and opinion were then most val
liable. Surgery waited until he said to
operate
The early workers with the Xray
were dealing with an agent the dangers
of which we're unknown. N-ray burns
may be very severe and painful and they
may undergo a cancerous change. From
this process DR.. Dodd suffered. From his
experience and that OF others, Roentgen-
ologists OF to-day has> learned to guard
themselves against the dangers OF their
vocation. He was first treated for X
ray burns in 1897 and was first operated
upon in 1898. Since then he has had
many operations and has suffered most
severe pain
He has meant much to the Massaehu
setts General hospital. He rose from the
position of poor immigrant boy from
England to that Of one OF the most dis.
tinguished and valued X.ray experts in
America. He was always cheerful and
in spite of his pain had fund OF anee-
dotes and stories which helped much to
alleviate the trying hospital work. He
was in true sense a martyr TO the
OF scientific knowledge of the
\ ray and the attempt to lessen human
He was member of the American
Roentgen Ray society. the Massachusetts,
Medical society. the Esculapian club and
the st. Botolph club He long attended
at the Bulfnch Place church.
Dr. Dodd in 1910 married Margaret Lea
Of Moncton, n. s., by whom he is sur
vived.