New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-05
State Uses X-Ray
Test for Soldiers
Experiment on Members of
69th Regiment Shows Lung
Condition Quickly

One of the most advanced steps
known to science for the detection Of
pulmonary tuberculosis among soldiers
has been taken by New York State.
X-ray photographs of 1000 members Of
the seth Regiment have been taken, the
object being to demonstrate the useful
ness Of this method as applied to large
bodies of troops whose examinations
for this disease must of necessity @
thorough if the United States rs TO
avoid the experience of the Canadian
and French armies with the disease.
A report on the New York City tesn
was made yesterday to Governor Whit
man. and to the State Council Of De
fence at Albany, under whose author
cation the experiments were carried OUT
by a group Of lung specialists and
Roentgenologists. State Health Com
missioner Hermann NJ. Biggs was in
charge of the examinations.
The Goth made an admirable
showing. judging from the findings an
nounced on the 600 plates so far in.
terpreted OF these twenty-five men,
or a fraction more than 3 per cent.
were found with definite tuberculosis
sufficient to disqualify them for mill.
eighteen who showed old pulmonary
LESSONS or lung changes, indicating ar
rested tuberculosis.
Would Have Broken Down
The twenty-five definite cases, TAX
ing Canada's figures as a basis, II ex-
posed to the strain of life in the
trenches would inevitably break down
and be invalded home. The expense
of their training. transportation and
other items entering into the making
of a soldier would thus be lost. In
addition TO their being a source OF
infection TO their fellow soldiers. The
expense to the government Of care and
pension allowance would also be en-.
tailed. amounting to at least $1,000
annually for each man, who under or
binary conditions might have con.
tinued civilian activities without phys
zeal impairment.
These experiments, according TO the
report, are believed TO have demon
strated the entire practicability Of the
method in determining the presence o.
: the disease among soldiers at a min
imum of time and medical supervision
Seven and one-half hours were fequlreg
or % seconds per man; developing the
plates by one man took 40 hours. or
minutes and "a seconds per plate
/ Interpreting the 500 plates was done
in hours, or at the rate Of fS seconds
per plate. Thus, the total time FOR
making. developing and reading eaen
plate was 8 minutes and 3S SECONDS
The report states that this time can De
cut materially by means OF few me-
chanical Improvements.
| Operation of the X-ray apparatus Is
comparatively simple, half dozen men
being employed. One makes the eA'
/ posure. another estimates the time;
two place the subject in position ano
two others change and number the
plates. which DO not have 70 be re-
moved from their original envelopes
for the exposure.
Must Examine 100000 Men
Many medical authorities hold thai
examination for pulmonary tubercu'
losis Of the half million or more meh
now being called TO service would be
physical impossibility under the o!o
method because of the large amount o.
time that would be required and me
scarcity Of competent clinicians. TO DO
the work.
Upon the physical fitness of Amer,
lean soldiers depends the success o,
the nations mission to make the worlo
safe for democracy. Heads OF ths
medical establishments in the armies
of our allies are unanimous and en-
phatic IN their statements as 70 tne
/ necessity OF having United States
troops free from: tuberculosis either VI
active or quiescent stages. The koent
gen ray furnishes an unmistsksps
picture Of actual conditions IN Wv
chest cavity. and the report states
/ that the figures taken from the Nes
York City experiments show that u,,
method permits of a rate Of speed no
possible OF attainment by any o'n''
known method Of examination.
! Application in New York state OF u.
latest methods in X-ray technique W
determine the presence Of pulmonsr,
tuberculosis among large bodies q
troops has centred the interest OF leaa,
ing specialists on the experiments lus.
concluded. The usefulness OF thes'
studies is fully realized at WsshinS!on,
where the problem Of proper physieSs
examinations Is chief in importance ..
the many now facing the Medical oo'P'
| 81 the armv