Miss Katie Clark: Pioneer of Standardization of Radiographic Projections.

This history page in the series "Leaders in MSK radiology" is dedicated to the memory and achievements of the British radiographer Kathleen C. Clark, recognized as a pioneer of standardization of radiographic projections.

Apuntes para la historia de la radiología en Matanzas (I): precursores y notas complementarias / Notes for a history of radiology in Matanzas (I): precursors and supplementary notes

RESUMEN La radiología es una de las especialidades con más desarrollo en las ciencias médicas. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron rescatar y compartir elementos de la historia de la radiología en la provincia de Matanzas. En el mismo se utilizaron métodos como el analítico-sintético y el deductivo-inductivo, al igual que los submétodos cronológico y geográfico. Se presentaron nueve notas complementarias y once fichas con una caracterización sintética de figuras e instituciones precursoras. En 1907 debió instalarse en Matanzas el primer equipo de rayos X, pero la iniciativa no fructificó. Los primeros en el territorio en usar dichos rayos con fines médicos fueron los doctores Juan Francisco Tamargo, Enrique Sáez y Federico Escoto, en la segunda década del siglo XX; pero quien estableció el límite temporal entre cómo se hacía y cómo debía hacerse la radiología, fue el Dr. Mario E. Dihigo Llanos, a principios de la década siguiente (AU).

ABSTRACT Radiology is one of the most developed specialties in the medical sciences. The objectives of this work were to rescue and share elements of the history of radiology in the province of Matanzas. Methods such as analytic-synthetic and deductive-inductive were used, as were chronological and geographical sub-methods. Nine supplementary notes and eleven cards were presented with a synthetic characterization of precursor figures and institutions. In 1907 the first X-ray equipment had to be installed in Matanzas, but the initiative did not bear fruit. Doctors Juan Francisco Tamargo, Enrique Sáez and Federico Escoto were the first in the territory to use such rays for medical purposes in the second decade of the twentieth century; but who established the time limit between how radiology was done and how it should be done, was Dr. Mario E. Dihigo Llanos, at the beginning of the following decade (AU).

Radiodiagnóstico y Medicina Nuclear: caminos encontrados / Radiology's and nuclear medicine's paths converge

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History of use and abuse of X-ray: the early 20th century Italian pediatrics school.

In our paper we report a brief history of the X-rays discovery and discuss the implications of their use and abuse in the Italian pedriatic schools of the early 20th century. Indeed, history of the X-ray treatment in the Italian Pediatric School has not yet been well studied. Even if the scientific experience of many physicians is well known in literature, a summary was missing. In Italy, in 1900, exposure to Röntgenand ultraviolet radiation or to large amounts of solar rays was a widespread medical practice, especially in several pediatric schools. During those years, diagnosis and treatment of childhood pathologies underwent considerable changes, especially after the twenties, when scientists developed an unquestionable trust in the therapeutic properties of radiation, considered harmless at that time. We report the main steps of the scientific research of the early 20th century in Italy.

'X-rays don't tell lies': the Medical Research Council and the measurement of respiratory disability, 1936-1945.

During the first half of the twentieth century, the mining industry in Britain was subject to recurrent disputes about the risk to miners' lungs from coal dust, moderated by governmental, industrial, medical and mining bodies. In this environment, precise measurements offered a way to present uncontested objective knowledge. By accessing primary source material from the National Archives, the South Wales Miners Library and the University of Bristol's Special Collections, I demonstrate the importance that the British Medical Research Council (MRC) attached to standardized instrumental measures as proof of objectivity, and explore the conflict between objective and subjective measures of health. Examination of the MRC's use of spirometry in their investigation of pneumoconiosis (miner's lung) from 1936 to 1945 will shed light on this conflict and illuminate the politics inherent in attempts to quantify disability and categorize standards of health.

Venothromboembolic signs and medical eponyms: Part II.

Eponyms were established to serve the purpose of honoring individuals who have made important observations and discoveries. The use of eponyms remains controversial, and important questions have been raised regarding their appropriateness. Although there have been instances where eponyms were abandoned, the remainder are largely embedded within the established literature making their disappearance unlikely. Physicians used a variety of techniques to describe signs of medical eponyms as a method for diagnosing deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) or venothromboembolism (VTE). These methods (observation, palpation, pressure, or maneuvers), were detected during the physical examination and using bedside sphygmomanometer or radiographic imaging. Reviewed are both common and less frequently encountered VTE eponyms identified during the physical examination and radiologic imaging. Most of these signs have not been further studied and, therefore, there is a lack of information regarding their accuracy and reliability in clinical practice.

[Early attitudes to X-rays in Buenos Aires, 1896-1897: medicine, esotericism and popular fantasies]. / La temprana recepción de los rayos X en Buenos Aires, 1896-1897: medicina, esoterismo y fantasías plebeyas.

The goal of this article is to document early attitudes to X-rays in scientific culture in the city of Buenos Aires. Using various types of periodical sources, the text explores the different reactions to the novelty among different actors in the literary world. Newspapers and weekly magazines for the general public quickly broadcast the discovery, stressing its marvelous or prodigious nature. Meanwhile, physicians in the city took contrasting positions, ranging from mistrust to enthusiasm. Lastly, spiritualists in the city wrote numerous texts about the innovation, and reinterpreted it in accordance with their strategies for self-legitimation.

El objetivo de este artículo es documentar la recepción temprana de los rayos X en la cultura científica de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. Haciendo uso de fuentes periódicas de diversa índole, el texto explora las diferentes reacciones despertadas por la novedad en distintos actores del mundo letrado. Los periódicos y semanarios generales difundieron rápidamente el hallazgo y se encargaron de subrayar su naturaleza maravillosa o prodigiosa. Por su parte, los médicos de la ciudad asumieron posiciones contrastantes que iban desde el recelo hasta el entusiasmo. Por último, los espiritistas de la ciudad escribieron numerosos textos sobre la innovación, y la reinterpretaron en función de sus estrategias de auto-legitimación.

Synchrotron radiation biomedical imaging and radiotherapy: from the UK to the Antipodes.

Although the general public might think of 'X-rays' as they are applied to imaging (radiography) and for the treatment of disease (radiotherapy), the use of synchrotron radiation (SR) X-ray beams in these areas of science was a minor activity 50 years ago. The largest gains in science from SR were seen to be in those areas where signals were weakest in laboratory instruments, such as X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy. As the qualities of SR X-rays were explored and more areas of science adopted SR-based methods, this situation changed. About 30 years ago, the clinical advantages of using SR X-ray beams for radiography, radiotherapy and clinical diagnostics started to be investigated. In the UK, a multi-disciplinary group, consisting of clinicians, medical physicists and other scientists working mainly with the Synchrotron Radiation Source (SRS) in Cheshire, started to investigate techniques for diagnosis and potentially a cure for certain cancers. This preliminary work influenced the design of new facilities being constructed around the world, in particular the Imaging and Medical Beam Line on the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne. Two authors moved from the UK to Australia to participate in this exciting venture. The following is a personal view of some of the highlights of the early-year SRS work, following through to the current activities on the new facility in Australia. This article is part of the theme issue 'Fifty years of synchrotron science: achievements and opportunities'.

La temprana recepción de los rayos X en Buenos Aires, 1896-1897: medicina, esoterismo y fantasías plebeyas / Early attitudes to X-rays in Buenos Aires, 1896-1897: medicine, esotericism and popular fantasies

Resumen El objetivo de este artículo es documentar la recepción temprana de los rayos X en la cultura científica de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. Haciendo uso de fuentes periódicas de diversa índole, el texto explora las diferentes reacciones despertadas por la novedad en distintos actores del mundo letrado. Los periódicos y semanarios generales difundieron rápidamente el hallazgo y se encargaron de subrayar su naturaleza maravillosa o prodigiosa. Por su parte, los médicos de la ciudad asumieron posiciones contrastantes que iban desde el recelo hasta el entusiasmo. Por último, los espiritistas de la ciudad escribieron numerosos textos sobre la innovación, y la reinterpretaron en función de sus estrategias de auto-legitimación.

Abstract The goal of this article is to document early attitudes to X-rays in scientific culture in the city of Buenos Aires. Using various types of periodical sources, the text explores the different reactions to the novelty among different actors in the literary world. Newspapers and weekly magazines for the general public quickly broadcast the discovery, stressing its marvelous or prodigious nature. Meanwhile, physicians in the city took contrasting positions, ranging from mistrust to enthusiasm. Lastly, spiritualists in the city wrote numerous texts about the innovation, and reinterpreted it in accordance with their strategies for self-legitimation.

Alfred Caleb Taylor (1860-1927): X-ray pioneer and martyr.

Alfred Caleb Taylor was the first radiographer at the Peterborough Infirmary and Dispensary from 1896 to 1923. He constructed the first X-ray apparatus and oversaw the development of the X-ray service in Peterborough. He contracted a chronic radiation dermatitis from exposure to X-rays which was a source of considerable suffering for him. When he died in 1927, X-ray dermatitis was considered to have contributed to his death, and he was recognised as an X-ray martyr and a victim of science. In spite of his achievements and his ill-health from working with X-rays, his name is not included on the Martyrs Memorial in Hamburg.

La Ciudad de México, cuna del primer estudio radiológico en la República Mexicana.

En agosto de 1896, el ingeniero Gilberto Crespo y Martínez publicó un artículo en el que presentó dos radiografías realizadas por Roberto Jofre y Fernando Ferrari Pérezen. Correspondieron a las dos primeras radiografías llevadas a cabo en la República Mexicana, dos meses antes de las efectuadas en la ciudad de San Luis Potosí el 24 de octubre y la del doctor Tobías Núñez en el Hospital Juárez, el 19 de octubre de ese mismo año.In August 1896, engineer Gilberto Crespo y Martinez published an article where he presented two radiographies produced by Roberto Jofre and Fernando Ferrari Perez. This corresponded to the two first radiographs carried out in the Mexican Republic, two months earlier than those produced in the city of San Luis Potosi on October 24 and the one by Doctor Tobías Núñez at the Juarez Hospital on October 19 that same year.

Historical Prevalence of Radiological Appendicular Osteoarthritis in Cats (1972-1973).

Interest in feline osteoarthritis has grown recently; this might be due to increased prevalence or increased awareness. This study records the presence of appendicular osteoarthritis in a subset of the United Kingdom cat population in the 1970s and estimates its prevalence. One hundred cats euthanized in 1972-1973 had a series of skeletal radiographic images taken post mortem. Each joint was put into a set with or without osteoarthritis according to the presence or absence of a specified set of radiographic features. Limited historical data were analyzed. The prevalence of osteoarthritis in these cats was 74%. There is no evidence that feline osteoarthritis is a "novel" disease. The prevalence was similar to recent prospective radiological surveys. Recent interest in the condition may have derived from more attention being paid to feline medicine and welfare.