The New York herald., 1922-06-11

are projected toward the pack OF tne
standing patient and the physician
sits before him with the nuoroseope
screen between them. The X-ray
shadow pictures of the bony walls OF
the chest, as well as Of the heart and
large blood vessels. lungs and esopha-
gus, become visible on the luminous
screen, and diseases and abnormali-
ties are thus recognized.
OF DiaGnostic value.
BY the aid of the "opaque meal" or
draft of bismuth- or barium solution,
the outlines of stomach and intestinal
tract also become visible, furnishing
information of great diagnostic value.
In the examination of abdominal cases
it is customary to take a photograph
through the body and thus produce
on large plate a permanent record
of the conditions outlined by the
course of the Opaque meal in the in
testinal canal
Instead of feeling the pulse. exam
ing the tongue, asking many questions
and hoping his diagnosis may be COR
rect, the modern doctor demands
set of X-ray pictures in every doubt
full case.
There is another great field for
X-ray utilization. a field not new but
not yet fully explored. Only time and
experience will enable it's record to be
fully written. This is the therapeutic
use of the Roentgen ray, hailed by
some as a cure for all of humanity's
ailments and undoubtedly beneficial
in many cases.
The curative value of sunlight is
well known. Heat is beneficial in
many affections especially where pain
is present. Electricity itself has long
been used to stimulate and encourage
muscular and circulatory activity.
All these waves" light, heat and
electricity, have properties in common,
viz, the power of producing effects at
a distance. They thus bring about
chemical changes, cause phophores-
cent substances to glow and produce
other effects in bodies with which
they come in contact.
what This Energy Does.
All these forms of energy exert a
peculiar influence on living organisms.
Their radiative features act as cura-
tive factors in some diseases with
entire success.
The effect of the application of the
X-ray as a curative agency is in gen.
eral proportionate to it's intensity. II
may be considered as an irritant.
which in small amounts is stimulating
to diseased tissues. On the contrary,
overdoses cause destructive changes.
In the hands of skilled operators
certain diseases quickly respond to
X-ray treatment. Especially in affec-
tlons of the skin have the administra-
tions been successful. iSometimes
treatment of extensive eruptions
causes the trouble to disappear COM
pletely, even though only part of the
body is subjected to the influence of
the rays. There is in such cases an ex-
ample of the systemic and far reaching
effect of the emanations.
Enlarged glands due to inaamma-
tory conditions readily respond to the
X-ray and diminish rapidly in size
Chronic ulcers have been greatly
helped toward the healing process by
X-ray treatment, and common and
well known troubles such as ringworm
have been successfully X-rayed and
cured since 1904.
The method has proved itself so
satisfactory in the treatment of tuber-
culous glands in children that it is
now recommended universally Even
cancers have responded to the infiu-
ence of X-rays, often healing and not
recurring after years OF observation.
The surgeon called to set broken
arm. leg. wrist or ankle need no longer
worry about conditions as represented
by external appearances nor speculate
as to the probable position of fractured
bones or extent of splintering; the
%-ray gives him accurate informa..
ton SO that he may safely apply his
skill and let Uis medicdtrir nature do
the rest.
Likewise the dentist finds the X-ray
OF incalculable assistance i'm his prac-
tice. A small piece of Photographic
film wrapped in dark paper is placed
IN the mouth behind the teeth the
X-ray machine is started and when
conditions are right the picture is
taken, the film developed. and the
negative shows the dental surgeon the
true condition of teeth and surround
ing tissues.
Used I'm War Units.
During the recent war X-ray appa-
ratus formed part Of the regular
equipment of the hospital units. and
the information obtained by it's use
was of inestimable value to the oper-
ating surgeons
The localization of bullets in various
parts of the body the accurate loca-
ton of foreign bodies in eye and
orbit, fragments of shell and shrapnel
and splinters of bone; the nature ana
extent Of injuries to various bony
structures were but few of the in
stances in which the instrument as
sisted the army surgeon in his work.
AS time and speed often meant life
saved in casualty cases. prompt
recognition of conditions meant imme-
diate relief and the greater chance 81
recovery. If the X-ray had never ac-
complished anything else it's service to
humanity during the war would have
entitled II to all the honors and appro-
baton that could be accorded an in
vention for saving human lives.
DR.. King of Oberlin