Illustrated and descriptive catalogue of Roentgen X-ray apparatus and accessories : apparatus for the generation and application of high frequency currents. Apparatus for the therapeutic application of light energy.

  • Kny-Scheerer Company.
Date:
1905
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Illustrated and descriptive catalogue of Roentgen X-ray apparatus and accessories : apparatus for the generation and application of high frequency currents. Apparatus for the therapeutic application of light energy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

    14/176 (page 8)
    The Kny-Scheerer Company, New York. Telegraphic Address: EXRAY-NEW-YORR. The situation of the Roentgen ray art during those particular years can be conveniently followed by means o' the exhibits which appeared at the annual meetings of physicians, which included exhibits of the various forms of Roentgen ray apparatus made by different manu- facturers. It was quite observable at these exhibitions that progress was being made from year to year, but a hundred new inventions could be seen, which disappeared from public notice almost as quickly as they came. Everything pertaining to this art seemed to bear upon its face the evidence of uncertainty. Everywhere it was noteworthy that the apparatus did not seem to be based upon profound comprehension of the subject, and upon thorough understand- ing of physical laws which were included by it, but on the contrary all things seemed to have been constructed upon a basis of opinions and often upon erroneous and superficial ones. The object .which was aimed at in these various inventions seemed to be to produce an effect, to amaze and astonish people, for this always produces a profound impression upon those who are superficial in their examinations and in their judgments. In the years 1898 and 1899 the general impression in regard to the technique of the Roentgen ray apparatus among physicians was as follows: The greater the length of the spark the better would be the apparatus. The number of interruptions in the current must be so great that the light in the tube would not flicker. Accumulators or storage batteries served as a means of current supply, or the connection was made with the current circuit of a public lighting plant. In the latter case suit- able means had to be provided for lessening its strength and tens'on by appropriate resistance ap- paratus The mercury interrupter was generally in use. The X-Ray tubes with arrangements for the regeneration of the vacuum were beginning to become known, and were regarded as valuable. The Tube itself was gradually being constructed with a heavy anti-cathode, the latter sometimes with surrounding or connecting chamber by which the anti-cathode could be cooled with a current of water when tube was in use. There was an abundance of unnecessary and inferior apparatus upon the market. People had not yet learned to protect their eyes at each transillumination, most methodically, from actinic light, and they still worked with the fluorescent screen in imperfectly darkened rooms. The relation between the degree of vacuum which is produced in a tube the power [of penetration of the X-Rays, their chemical effect, and the formation of secondary rays were questions which were not as yet generally understood. It often happened that one obtained bad results or results that were lacking in uniformity. As to the cause of the bad results the explanation was not yet at hand. There was a great deal of literature and a great deal of uncertainty upon the subject. The text books gave defective explanations in regard to the actual physical structure, the process of induction and the real method of procedure with the apparatus. The physician, however good his intentions may have been, was not in a position to find just where he stood quickly and accurately in regard to procedure. He, however was allowed to pay the bills for finding out all these things and he gradually became inclined to withdraw from the practice of radiology His experience became less and less satisfactory on account of the inconstancy of his results, and there was a perceptible reaction which discredited the illusions of earlier years During ths period two events occurred which gave their impression to the epoch which followed. One of these events was the invention of the electrolytic interrupter by Wehnelt in 1899. In this instrument was produced an interrupter of unprecedented efficiency, the fre- quency of its interruptions exceeding that of all others which had previously been devised to an enormous degree, and eliciting from the induction apparatus real bands and showers of sparks. In certain cases in which it was tried it soon succeeded in shortening the time of exposure com- pared with that which had usually been required. It is easy to understand how the atten- tion of all, who were concerned in this subject, was quickly turned to this new discovery. Wanting in discretion as the market was it took possession of this treasure without hesitation. All Our products JLare guaranteed 3ear our trade >l mark for identification G/STt