The New York herald., 1922-06-11

question concerning any ulSSoN-
cry or invention is apt to be,
What is it good for? With as much
propriety it may even now be asked,
Has the X-ray made good? Does 1t
fulfill the expectations of its dis
coverers?
In algebra it is customary to let x
represent any unknown quantity or
value, and when Prof. Wilhelm kon-
rad R0ntgen Cor Roentgen). working
with Lenard and Crookes, discovered
the peculiar luminescent effects OF
strange electrical discharge he named
the rays after the symbol of uncer-
tainty and called them X-rays. Later
in his honor the mysterious emana-
tions received the name of Roentgen
rays, and the two terms are synony-
nous.
1t seems hardly possible that such
an important invention could have
been developed in less than thirty
years to its present state of useful
ness Like the telephone and electric
light, we wonder how we ever man
aged to get along without them. and
yet how seldom do we realize their
immense value TO civilization. The
telephone as an aid to the transaction
of business and the various forms of
electrical utilization have truly revo-
lutionized industry and home life.
News of First X-ray.
When Roentgen saw the effect OF.
rays proceeding from tube covered
with dark paper and noticed glowing
waited by the mysterious hidden infiu-
ence a new epoch in the history Of
light began.
After secret experiments suddenly
the world was informed that photo
graphs had been made showing the
bones of n living hand. The uncanny
news, spooky in its suggestion, was
confirmed by actual pictures, and not
long after the details of the process
were revealed and other experiments
led to better apparatus and many inn
provements.
The Crookes tube took it's name
from Prof. William Crookes, who
studied and developed the tube, or
rather bulb, which constitutes one of
the indispensable features of the X-ray
apparatus. 1t is similar to a large
incandescent lamp globe in that it is
made of glass and that the air Is ex-
hausted; but instead of low vacuum,
as in our electric lamps. the eXhaus-
ton may reach the almost absolute
absence of air. Then, again, instead
of a filament that glows with the
direct heat of the electric current, the
Crookes tube contains electrodes
separated and so arranged that the
electric current is directed and re-
fected to a definite focus. Modern
operators use the Coolidge tube, which,
like the automobile, is water cooled
and therefore less liable to overhead
ing and consequent damage.
At first 1t took several hours expo
sure to make picture of the bones OF
the body. The rays are ordinarily in
visible that accomplish the penetration
OF the tissues and impress the image
on the Photographic plate, but after
long series of experiments, in the
course of which it is said he investi-
gated over 1900 substances, Thomas
A. Edison devised a f1uoroscope by
means of which the operator is able
to determine whether X-rays are ac-
tually being produced in the tube and
to see their effects on screen.
Instant Pictures Now.
With this knowledge and other inn
provements in the electrical appa-
ratus. the time of exposure has been
brought down TO the fraction of
second, which not only insures instan-
taneous pictures but eliminates a
grave danger that still attends the
use of X-rays except by skilled
operators.
The danger referred to is that of
burns, and this ever present danger is
guarded against, by taking advantage
of certain known facts, such as the in
ability of the rays to penetrate lead,
glass containing lead salts or rubber
similarly treated Unless the operator
is thus protected the cumulative effect
OF the rays is apt to cause him skin
trouble ranging from inflammation to
necrosis. The patient is less apt to
suffer because of the shortness of the
SNP'S"4N anu tit IilItlueHty Ol DtlLS
subjected to its influence.
note of warning was recently
issued by DR.. Copeland of the New
York Board of Health. who declared
that the indiscriminate use of X-rav
machines is a menace to public life
and health. Hereafter permits will be
required for all operators of X-ray
laboratories Applicants must pass
an examination satisfactory to the
Board of Health as to their qualif-