THE SUNDAY OREGOXIA, PORTLAND, FEBRUARY IS, 1923
- '
JSSN
li 'qd .. fa - if - ,
; - Jl f " i -
' y !' . -
- " - v :
fit 1 .. i " t -:r
f . ;v -J ! J ' i
:' )'' j ? j
- ' ' 'f ; - ;i ' '- .!.',-.
Innermost Secrets of Human Organs
Tell Experts Whether or
Not All Is Well
EDITOITB NOTE5 To tho lay
man the X-ray ia a mysterious
agency of unknown powers.
Portland is exceptionally
equipped with X-ray laboratory
facilities. DeWltt Harry has
prepared two articles on th
X-ra of which this Is tho first,
treating- of diag-nosia. The sec
ond. In which some methods of
treatment will he described,
will follow next Sunday. The
articles were prepared with the
sanction of the League, for the
Conservation of Tubilc Health
and the statements give the real
truth of X-ray possibilRiea and
limitations.
SINCE Ben Franklin flew hi kite
electricity has progressed by tre
mendous strides. So rapid has
been the, development that it has
winded many of Its followers to keep
up the pace. Electricity is the serv
ant of civilization. It lights our
cities, provides the power for our in
dustries; even heats our homes, and
this does not tell half Its possibilities.
It is entering more and more into
very life itself. All that it seems to
ask is a chance.
More than a century after Frank
lln"s key snatched sparks from the
clouds a scientist named Roentgen
piumbled on a revolutionary discov
ery. It was n 1S5 when conducting
some experiments with a Crookes
tube, that he noticed that the light
rays produced possessed unsuspected
properties. Roentgen did not know
Just what he had found and when he
made his discovery public called it
the X" or unknown ray. Here was
Invisible light, to that time a para
dox. Imagine it. light that could not
be seen. LUht that would rass
through many substances without
absorption. This then was Roent
gen's X-ray.
"X" Better hum.
In the last few years physicians
and surgeons have come more and
more to rely on the X-ray in both
diagnosis and treatment. For some
time its value in diagnosis has been
realized, and new experiments and
discoveries have enlarged the ecope
of this phas of X-ray work im
mensely. In treatment new vistas of
possibilities are continually being
opened. However, it has been de
cided to divide this- article in two
sections, and In the first installment
to tell something of X-ray, just what
It la. and soma little of its application
In diagnosis as employed in Portland.
photographic eonuisions as cua ordi
nary light rays. This made it possi
ble to make X-ray photographs, one
of the main reliances of physicians
In diagnosis.
X-rays are minute, material parti
cles electrically charged that move
at the rate of 40.000 miles per sec
ond. They penetrate human flesh
but are absorbed by solider sub
stances, such as bones, etc Thus in
making an X-ray photograph or ex
amination tho human body really acts
as a negative and is reproduced on a
photographic plate in case a photo
graph is desired, or the interior of
the body can be observed by tho ex
aminer by means of a fluorescent
screen. This fluorescent ecreen is
made of some substance that will
emij light and glow when struck by
the X-rays, making It possible, to see
clearly the shadows thereon in ex
actly the same manner as they -would
appear on the photographic plate.
This means that bones and denser
substances that abeorb the rays ap
pear on the screen, outlined by the
impact of the rays that they refuse
to absorb.
Mo vine Picture Studied.
In X-ray photographs the shadows
on the plates show the condition of
the denser materials in the body.
In studying radiographs the expert is
able to distinguish anything wrong
or unusual on account of his long
experience in observing normal con
ditions. Faint deviations from the
usual are thus easily detected by the
man skilled In this work. But to
make his observations possible, es
pecially in watching the working of
the intestines, some preparation of
the subject is necessary. The in
testines and interior organs are of
pearly the same physical character
istics as human flesh and therefore
readily afford penetration to X-rays.
To give some metallic consistency to
the intestines is therefore the aim of
the laboratory expert and this is ac
complished by feeding certain sub
stances so as to make the Intestines
cast a shadow enabling observation.
Thus, by taking full advantage of
the possibilities for observing the
functioning of the organs tho X-ray
laboratory man can give a support
ing diagnosis to the physician in
charge of the case, proving or chang
ing his clinical observations made
from tabulation and analysis of
symptoms.
Here comes one of the high points
emphasized by the medical profes
sion. Mere X-ray observation or pho
tography Is often worthless unless
taken in connection with other diag
nostic procedure and by the direction
of a physician. Thus the man
1WW ' 1 - "
to have X-ray photographs of ob
servations made, for, uDless done for
some purpose and to give a super
vising surgeon information, they were
nearly aJways worthless.
Considered with the rest of the
clinical information and the history
of the case, the X-ray either confirms
or modifies the diagnosis. In making
solitary pictures of the patient not
near as much is accomplished as if
:he X-ray expert would have the op
portunity to study conditions, for the
olitary picture would show but one
ncident in the complete cycle of
itomaeh action, for instance. An in
itantaneous exposure will show in the
photograph just what was present at
that moment, while with the flouro
scope the observer can watch the
complete history of the stomach.
Much Suffering Prevented.
In early observation for tubercu
losis the X-ray is admittedly of great
value. The same is true in cases of
pneumonia or abscesses. In the study
of the chest, tumors and other ma
lignant growths present evidence of
great value in diagnosis as revealed
by the X-ray. This evidence is cor
related with the physician's own find
ings and study, and when the evi
dence is combined the result is usu
ally an accurate summary of condi
tions. Another false idea is that of ex
pense of X-ray examinations. Under
present-day laboratory methods, the
expense is 'but little greater than for
tho ordinary physician's consultation
and examination. The value of the
X-ray findings more than makes up
for the added cost. The X-ray is in
dispensable in the study of the skele
ton and fractures and other phases
of its use are Just beginning to be
appreciated. In the study of the
skull, for detection of abscesses and
dental deformities, to locate cranial
growths or pressure or for diseased
glands in the head are other X-ray
special fields that are of Inestimable
value in the prevention of human suf.
fering. '
But just the location of human ills
'is not the entire field of the X-ray.
The development of the science is
continually opening up new uses. As
a curative means, its value is con
tinually being enhanced. How the
X-ray is used' to cure a number of ail
ments will be described next Sunday.
THE GIRL WHO HAS TO BE,
HYPNOTIZED TO BE HERSELF
(Continued From First . Page.)
ia- chmJS of the case is able to conf
Ing medical center of th northwest.',,,. , rc, kj
for here is situated the largest medi
cal college and exceptional facilities
for study, research and treatment.
X-ray laboratory equipment in Port
land) is very complete. It will be the
aim next week to try and give soma
Idea cf tha usa of X-rays in treat
ment. Rava t Mysterious.
Che of the first things to be dis
posed of in connection with the
X-ray Is the element of mystery.
Wails the subject may be puzzling
to sowia degree to the layman there la
BO necessity for making It seem su
pernatural. Ths X-ray is simply in
visible light, light that penetrates
many substances rendering them
nearly transparent under proper conditions-
Other substances stop
X-rays in somewhat the- same man
ner that a wall would stop some mov
Jng objects. One of the early discov
ered properties of X-rays was that
thsy bad nearly tha same effect on
in
irm
his own personal opinion based vn ob
servation and gains a complete and
accurate knowledge, proving his own
deductions or showing certain devia
tions so that he can carry his case
through to a successful conclusion.
The worth of X-ray in supporting
diagnosis Is becoming mora valuable
right along and Its scope and recog
nition is widening constant. s
comes as a natural development as
the experts gain knowledge of how
to detect abnormal or unhealthy con
ditions existing In ths human Inte
rior. Laboratory Metaous Simple.
Ths subjects for examination coma
into the laboratory from all walks of
life and suffering from all manner
of complaints. They are dealt with
in rapid order, the time for making
the usual examination not seeming to
be a great deal longer than for the
ordinary physical examination. They
step late eas of tha matxy rooms
that contain the apparatus and take
their places where directed, the body
being covered with a sheet. Then
the rays are projected through the
bodies and against a target that may
be either the photographic plate or
the fluoroscopic screen depending on
whether the picture is wanted or the
expert in charge is to observe the
functioning of some one or many
organs.
If a photograph Is to be made the
patient stands in front of an appa
ratus supporting the negative and the
rays are projected through his body
accurately reproducing the interior
on the plate. If the fluoroscape Is
brought into play the observer takes
position either in front of the stand
ins subject, as in the picture shown
herewith, or if the subject be prone
passes the screen over ths body and
watches the shadows cast that show
conditions in the body undr obser
vation. During the 33 or more years that
tho X-ray has been known its history
has been one of progress. Its possi
bilities are even yet but little real
ized and new discoveries continu
ally enlarge its field. It has been
found that specialists working with
the X-ray must spend their entire
time at this work for like any other
specialty the expert gains efficiency
only by continual observation. Slight
changes in apparatus discovered by
accident have enabled more accurate
diagnosis and observation and the
care that Lbe specialist must take in
his de-licate work is only of maximum
value when he devotes practically all
his time to this branch of modern
medical science.
Laboratory experts who spend their
whole time at this work find it dif
ficult to lay down any hard and fast
rules to describe their methods of
arriving at certain deductions. It is
far from an exact science and It is
doubtful if it will ever be reduced to
a firm basis. Sometimes they see
things that they cannot describe or
-lv a reason for, but soma Intuition,
some second sense, seems to be devel
oped that enables them to put the
right interpretation on what they see.
Dang-er Is Kliminated.
Many people have developed fear
of X-rays from hearing of cases
where subjects have suffered' burns
during examination. v One of the most
experienced men in triis line in Port
land, a man who has been at X-ray
work continually for the past ten
years, and who during that time has
handled thousands of cases, has never
had one case of burning. One of the
most apt ways of describing the ac
tion of the X-rays when they are
being used to throw a picture of the
Interior of the body on a screen is
that likening the body to a stereopti
con slide. For the body does act
as a negative and tho outlines of its
solider elements appear on the screen
in somewhat the same manner that a
stereoptlcon reflects the outlines
from the photographic negative on
the screen.
In making a 6tudy of the stomach
and intestines it is necessary to have
some substance present that will fill
out the organs and render them
opaque, to arrest the rays and cast
a shadow. In order to fill the intes
tines and stomach with something
that will enable them to be seen in
silhouette the subject is fed barium
sulphate in his food about 13 hours
before coming for observation. By
the time of the examination the me
tallic element In the food has made
its way to the intestines below the
stomach, making them resistant to
the light rays and therefore visible
to tie observer. A second meal of
barium sulphate Is given when en
tering the observation room, the .
barium being mixed with malfted
milk. This makes it possible to watch
the action of the stomach and the
tube that supplies it from the mouth.
Bod II j Functions Seen.
While this careful examination is
going on the expert watches with
close attention the size and position
of ths stomach and intestines, their
contour and whether they appear nor
mal to the experienced eye. The ac
tion of the organs is watched as the
food is. received and if they are
smooth and correct or lacking in free
dom of movement. Any obstructions or
growths that protrude into the lumen
or channel can be seen and any per
forations or ulcers detected. The
progress of the food is watched as
it works Its way down the:alimen
tary canal and any abnormalities are
apparent to the experienced eye.
Occasionally a chronically diseased
appendix will fill with tho mixture.
Its outline can then be seen and will
often show presence of concretions or
kinks.
In the close observation of the
chest the size of the heart and lungs
are noted and any growths detected.
Tuberculosis ' can be detected as
well as signs of pleurisy or tu
mors of any kind. G-oitre conditions
that exert a pressure behind the
sternum or breastbone are apparent.
In the complete examination of the
abdomen the gall bladder is observed
for foreign substances, and delicate
shadows here are all revealing to the '
experienced? eye. In cases of gall or
kidney stones the X-ray is nearly
Indispensable, for the surgeon then
knows accurately just what the con
ditions are that have to he met.
A diseased gall bladder can often
be proved either by its own shadow
or by the altered contour of tho stom
ach and upper intestine. Stones in
the gall bladder appear but rarely in
a picture.
Properly done gall bladder work is
said to be indispensable.
Close Observation Is Best.
In line with all this work, the ex
perts point out that X-ray examina
tions of any type were an important
part of almost any diagnosis, and
that they should not be done except
under the guidance of the clinician.
People should not come of themselves
ready the upper hand of it now and'
matter of building up -her nervous I hope to be rid of it entirely within
system. a short time."
"Our problem has been how to de- "
stroy the four-year-old personality. Courtesy Curtails Thieves.
This presented great difficulties be- Nation's Business,
cause we found there was not a sin- What possible relation, can there b
gle connecting link between Polly between the disappearance of plck
and Bernice. When Miss Redick was Pocketa and modern business cour-19-year-old
Bernice she knew noth- tesy.
ing about the Polly personality and Police authorities know that pocket
vice versa picking is virtually an extinct form of
"One day when' she was Bernice, endeavor. A crude worker may still
she asked if she might take a walk occasionally try to lift a watch at a
about the grounds. We told her she country fair, but, generally speaking,
could. But, as she was putting on this brand of thieving is no more. It
her hat and cloak, she fell asleep, has gone the way of buffalo laprobes,
For six days, after awakening, she pug dogs, Sunday buggy rides, beef
was Polly. At the end of the six steak for breakfast and torchlight
days, when the Bernice personality processions. Why? Because pocket
again got possession, the first thing picking is no 'longer a gainful occu
she said was: 'Well, I think I'll go pation.
out and take a walk.' What has brought about tho
"When Miss Redick is her 19-year- change? The attitude of the banks,
old self, she is amazingly efficient They cater more than ever before to
in the performance f the most exact- the small depositor. If a man wishes
ing clerical work in the bureau office, to open an account and start off with
but, often, in the very midst of such J2.50 or even less, he receives the
work, she dozes off to sleep and same courteous consideration that
wakes up, after a few minutes, com- would be accorded the customer de
pletely possessed by the four-year- positing thousands. Only a few years
old personality. When this four- ago a person with small savings
year-old state of mind is predomi- looked upon bankers as a crusty lot
nant, she answers to the name of and kept away from such institutions
Polly.' "
Here is how Miss Redick sums up
her case:
"It all seems so strange and un
real. I never knew that a child per
sonality lived in my body until Dr.
Goddard and his assistants at the
bureau told me about it. I knew.
for fear of being insulted.
Today even the majority of the safe
ty deposit boxes are held by persons
of comparatively modest means. Tho
banks have simply followed the
changed attitude of business in gen
eral. All business has been growing
more courteous every year. And this
of course, that I was sick and sub- f courtesy la the basic reason
ject to a kind of fainting spells, but wnJr pickpockets are now rarely
when I would recover from them and
be my own self again, I would have
no recollection of lapse of time or
what I said or did when I was not
my real self.
heard of.
Shakespeare Bad Companion.
Johnny had been using some un-
I felt myself getting better as parliamentary language, much to his
soon as Dr. Goddard began hypno- mother's distress.
tizing me. After these treatments I "Johnny," she cried, "do stop using
could recall my Polly personality and such dreadful expressions. I can't
remember what Polly did. imagine where you pick them up."
"Certainly, I could have no wish "Well, mother," replied Johnny,
to let a child personality dominate "Shakespeare uses them."
me and as soon as I came to under- "Then don't play with him again,"
stand my Polly personality, I found commanded nis mother; "he's not -a
myself following Dr. Goddard's sug- nt companion for you, I'm sure."
gestlons to destroy It. I have al- Edinburg Scotsman.