X-RAY DEVELOPMENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1924, Page 4

X-RAY DEVELOPMENTS

Mr Arnold linker, .Melbourne manager of W. Wat-on and Sons, Ltd., routined a lew days ago fiom America, where he has been on a visit for the past five months. The object of the visit tn America was primarily to obtain information as to the newest types of X-ray apparatus that were being adopted in the foremost hospitals el America, and also to discover the met hods and (••tJilllque einploted by leading radiologists. On the whole lie came to the conclusion that the X-ray work at present being done in A list inlia, would, t.n the average, com pttie quite favourably with that seen hy him in America. This result is due largely to the fact that the Australian doctor is keenly alive to the benefits to lie gained from I lit* best and mn-t

pmverfill equipments. Air Baker found that some very line sets of apparatus had been installed in a large number of hospitals, and clinics for the treatment by X-rays of deep-seated cancerous growths, and a large amount of enthusiasm was evident mi all hands from the result;, which were being obtained. Hitherto it has been impossible to apply large volumes of X-rays at the high voltage which is necessary for operating upon internal cancer, and eoiisequently the treatment in the past, in many cases, needed to he extended over several hours. This, besides consuming a

great deal of the doctor’s time,’ has proved exceedingly trying to patients, many of whom, come for treatment when in a very weak and low condition. While in America, At.r Maker saw one of the new t’oolidgo tubes, especially made for this class ol work. Whereas those tubes formerly used have been unable to stand up to a larger current than about 6 milliam plieres, the new lube, which lias a very special w:i tor-cooling arrangement, is capable ol operating with a current of thirty millinmphere.s, thus reducing the time of radiation to which a patient needs to he exposed to one-sixth of that previously required. The new tube will make a vast dillcrence to the convenience and comfort ol both patient and operator in deep therapy eases. Another most interesting product;, also largely from the inventive mind ami skill of Dr Coolidge, is a new equipment lor dental radiograph;. This is of a highly portable character, being lighter and smaller than any X-ray plant hitherto constructed at all approaching it in power. Perhaps the most interesting loci' about it it that, although there is sufficient current generated to adminster a fatal shock, every part of the apparatus is so adequately protected that a person may handle it while in operation with perfect. safety.

Air ltal ;er was interested to note that dentists generally ill the l nited States were very much alive to the advantages of taking an X-ray ■graph of the teeth and jaws of their patients than their confreres in Australia appear to ho; an X-ray outfit in America having come to lie considered an integral part of a dental equipment.

Another appliance which also has not yet come into use that is appaiently warranted by the advantages yielded by it is the mercury quart* in nip for ultra violet radiation. This is being employed very largely at the present time in America, and for a great variety of different ailments. It is said to lie especially valuable in that class of disease where the patient’s blood is deficient in calcium content.