MARTYR TO SCIENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 905, 2 April 1908, Page 7

MARTYR TO SCIENCE.

DANGERS OF THE X-RAYS. A PATHETIC CASE. From time to time, touching the progress and developments in regard to the use of Rontgen rays, various writers have referred to the sufferings and dangers to which those who use the X-rays for the benefit of others are themselves exposed. One of the most famous of the Rontgen rays specialists, Mr John Hall Edwards, of Birmingham, has during the past five years undergone a perfect martyrdom in the cause of science, and his case has been only .one of many. Mr Edwards was one of the pioneers in the use of the rays in .this country, and medical science owes much to his work. When ho began his experiments the dangerous nature of the rays was not understood, and he soon became a sufferer from X-iay dermatitis in its .most severe form. His hands became •covered with warty formations, which were excruciatingly painful, .and for which no relitf could be

y iound. It will be recalled that some ti two years ago the sufferer appealed 'y4, through the British Medical Journal ::! toimedical men throughout the world V for suggestions for the relief of his .pain, hut nothing thai: afforded effective and permanent relief was found. Latterly the disease assumed much more malignant proportions, espeni■ally .in the left hand, and was manifestly .spreading along the arm. The pain wis .continuous and severe, and "sleep was only possible by the aid of opiates. Au examination under the rays showed that the bone had become diseased, and all hope of saving it had to be given up. After consultation with various specialists, Mr Edwards decided that the left arm should .undergo amputation. The : operation took place on Sunday, and is declared ;tr; have been successful. In spile of the terrible pain which he suffered, Mr Hull Edwards kept ujhia work, and a day or so before his own operation was performed he admin;stered the rays to four patients. Three surgeons assisted at the operation, and the limb was removed from a point u little below the elbow, somewhat lower th&n was at first feared would be necessary.

Unfortunately, the right hand is also in a serious condition, and may sub- \ sequently have to shaie the same < fate, but there is just a hope that; this may be saved. It is thought likely that Mr Edwards' devotion to the soldiers during the South African war was the culminating experience which developed the disease. He organised a complete field equipment, which rendered invaluable service in the fie'd hospitals, and thereby greatly mitigated the sufferings of the wounded, but on his return he noticed some excrescences on his hands, which had the appearance of warts, but which developed a tendency to spread over the hand. Since that time every known remedy has been tried without the slightest effect. The disease is apparently to an extent cancerous—a singular circumstance, seeing that the rays undoubtedly are most valuable for superficial cancers, and, in fact, have cured many malignant skin troubles. Thanks to the unhappy experience of the pioneers in, experiments, prevention has now been most effectual, so that X-ra.y operations can, by the use of . gauntlets, leaded glass screens, and other devices, bn made quite safely to the operator For Mr Hall Edwards the discovery has come too late. Naturally, such a disaster in the prime of life—Mr Hall Edwards is only 49 years of age—has excited the greatest commiseration among his friends in Birmingham, and there is a widespread feeling that this sympathy should take a practical form. (A cable" on Thursday stated that a civil list pension of £l2O had been awarded to Mr Edwards.)