LEWISHAM HOSPITAL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17990, 6 February 1924, Page 9

LEWISHAM HOSPITAL.

UP-TO-DATE X-RAY APPARATUS.

NEW PATHOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

Tb-a Lewisham Hospital is now fitted with an X-ray department equal to the best in New Zealand, Australia, or the United Kingdom. In addition xhero is a pathological department which to the medical officer in charge should bo a paradise in which to work. These two institutions are the beginnings of the general hospital which will be opened in the near future by the Lewisham authorities. The hospitai will bo framed very much on tho lines of the Lewisham General Hospital m Sydney, which, under the management of the Nursing Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, is in the 35th. year of its existence. That institution ha 3 grown in remarkable fashion, and the 73 in-patients of 1690 had increased to 31G5 in-patients and lz,llo outpatients Tho sister-in-charge of the new N-ray department at Lewisham in Christchureh has been transferred from Sydney, and she spoke yesterday to a "Press" reporter in most appreciative terms of the plant recently installed at Lewisham. She stated that it was as equally well equipped as that in Sydney, which was most modern and up-to-date.

The newly-installed plant is a product of the Victor X-ray Company of Chicago, U.S.A., and is in every way, even to a mere layman, a most marvellously complete, if intricate and efficient piece of mechanism. Every movement that is nocessary is provided for, and the patient's comfort is considered to such a great extent that there ia no need for him to be moved. The- appliances and table are adjustable and any portion of the body can be placed under the rays from any angle without requirintr the patient to bo moved on the table. The X-ray tube and screeninc; apparatus move m unison. The tube stand can be turned so that it will cover a patient on a portable table—part of the plant—on which the patient may be transferred from and back to the ward. This table is also fitted with a Potter-Bucky diaphragm which is used to produce much clearer photographs than the ordinary types. _ Films were shown to the representative of "The Press" demonstrating the difference' that the- diaphragm made. The on« taken without was more or less misty, but when the diaphragm was used the film showed up every detail most clearly. In addition, the main table is fitted with an automatic device for facilitating the taking of stereoscopic films, one exposure following the other with rapidity, both films being placed in position with accuracy and celerity. A specially attractive feature of the whole apparatus is the absence of wires in any awkward position, all being carried well clear overhead. Dr. Sandston is the medical officer in charge of the department. The plant is capable of giving therapeutic doses in addition to itß radiographic uses. The arrangements of the developing room are modelled on the latest American lines similar to those instituted in the Sydney Lewisham Hospital by an expert from the United States. There is nothing wanting in the- way of mechanical device to lighten labour and make for efficiency. The new pathological department is also modelled on the corresponding section in Sydney, and is complete in every detail. All the necessary apparatus is in evidence, and in complete readiness for any examination. Dr. E. D. Pullon will be in charge of this department. An inspection of these additions to Lewisham leaves ono impressed with the fact that has a really valuable addition to the appliances of medical science. The X-ray department is particularly up-to-date, has few equals, and no superiors, throughout the Dominion.