Evening star., 1922-11-20
HOSPITAL DOUBLES
|TSx-RAY POWER
New Laboratory at Garfield
Memorial Opens Today.
Will Treat Cancer.
HIGHEST VOLTAGE IN U. S,
Apparatus Expected to Make
Washington Lead as Medical Gen.
ter in Roentgenology Research.

The new X-ray laboratory of the
Memorial Hospital, which was
opened today. contains. according to
the experts in charge. the most pow
erful type of X-ray apparatus in ex-
istence. developing 900 volts, twice
as much electrical energy as previous
types. This installation places Wash
ington in the front rank Of medical
centers in x-ray equipment, and the
success Of the high-voltage method
leads physicians to expect important
results. especially in the treatment of
cancer.
Directors Of the hospital and a num-
Der Of guests attended the opening Of
the new department this afternoon.
The laboratory Is under the immediate
of DR.. Thomas A. Groover,
DR.. c. A. Christie and Dr. E. A. Mer-
ritt.
DIR. Merritt. roentgenologist Of the
hospital. who is In charge Of the oper-
alton of this elaborate apparatus. in a
of the new laboratory.
said today:
"The new X-ray apparatus, which is
and built under the personal super
vision. of one of Americas foremost
electrical engineers. He has devoted
twelve years of his time to developing
what he considers the last word in
the construction of x-ray apparatus.
Careful Canvass Made.
Before the individuals connected
with the hospital went into the sub
ject with view to purchasing this
n
made of number of eastern cities.
including New York. Boston, Phila-
delphia and Baltimore. and. after
careful survey of the field, personal
with men who were oper-
ating various types of X-ray ap-
poses. it was determined beyond doubt
that the machine finally purchased Is
the one which dominates the field of
X-ray therapy today.
THE equipment which has just been
installed in Garfield Hospital will de-
liver 100000 volts, which is 100 per
cent greater than has been produced
in America by any other apparatus
until this particular type was de-
X-ray treatment, particularly in the
of cancer, are in direct pro-
portion to the amount of f-ray
energy expressed in terms of short
wave lengths that can be delivered.
and the output of this machine is now
as great as can be utilized by the
most perfect X-ray tube yet devised
and installed, specially made for this
and the similar types of apparatus.
Philadelphia. Only Rival.
washington is particularly fortu-
nate in having such an installation,
as there Is no other apparatus Of the
same charcter in the east, with, the
single exception of the city OF Phila-
lelphia.
.'The space devoted to the X-ray
Ia boratory at the Garfield Hospital
an absolute ideal as far as
he laboratory is concerned. The pow
erful transformers are located in
separate room under lock and key
md the electrical energy is transmit
ed from them to the X-ray tube in
another room through large brass
he floor and connect with the large
ead-lined cylinder which incloses the
X-ray tube.
thickness lines this cylinder, in order
20 prevent the escape OF the rays.
There Is. in the bottom Of the cylinder,
IN aperture six inches in diameter. In
which filters made Of metals are
placed. and it is through this opening
and the metal filters that the X-ray
IS permitted to play upon the parts
If the body selected for treatment.
Protection Devices Not Needed.
'Recent newspaper statements in
licate that some of the modern in
in other cities require the
protection Of the patient by means
IF sheets Of lead laid over or inclos-
ne the patient: while he Is in the
.reatment room, and that the attend
ants are compelled to wear somo
,orm Of. protecting. lead devices.
With this apparatus. all of these lead
devices are unnecessary.
~ the apparatus itself furnishes @ the
s possible for the attending physi-
ian to be with the patient, stand by
nim and talk to him without any
LANCER to, himself or the patiept.
rhe patient will be made as COMFORT
lble. as he would be in his own bed
md in cases where prolonged treat
nents are necessary. the patient may
cad, converse with friends or smoke
4 he likes.
"The apparatus consists of two
very large high tension transformers,
n which the voltage IS supplied II ron m
zoo. 900 volts and rectided BY revoly-
control stand. which governs the
itarting and stopping OF the motors
md fSROlaLeS tulS SuOIibou0Ay AA0H
,oItaRe, is in the same room with
he patient, but sufficiently removed
n distance from the transformer
DOM, so that there is not the slightest
,oige, A comfortable couch, which
an be lifted to the proper height by
| worm-gear device, is placed be-
,eath the tube in the lead cylinder
vhich incloses the X-ray. This
,yiinder is two feet in diameter and
ix. feet in length, and is supported
rom the floor by movable wooden
,ed estais at either end. The table
the patient is, run in be.
ween these wooden supports unit!
hat portion Of the body to be treated
directly beneath the screened
Lpertore in the side Of the cylinder.
10 other. adjustment is necessary,
md no additional protection Is
Ieeded for the patient. -.
Operation Il sinaDhAed. ,
fter the patient is In position, by /!
he operator, who occupies place at |
he control stand The only duty Of
his operator Is to make record Of |
he time Of treatment and watch the
peration of the machine. There is |
o emergency whereby the patient |
o,tld receive the slightest injury,
royiidinC only that q reasonably ]
,,ss fjs.. = &