REASSURANCE ON FEAR OF X-RAYS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29657, 30 October 1961, Page 12

REASSURANCE ON FEAR OF X-RAYS

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 29. Atomic explosions have caused such a general fear of radiation that people in many countries are reluctant to submit to X-ray examinations, according to a noted Australian radiologist. Dr. H G. Hiller. This was particularly so in Australia, he said, but it did not apply to anywhere the same extent in New Zealand Dr. Hiller is director of radiologiy at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. “In actual fact, nuclear radiation and diagnostic radiology are only very remotely connected,” he said. Some parents were not willing to allow their childrent to be X-rayed, “but let me say that the importance of an X-ray far outweighs the possibility of something going wrong with the child’s great grandchildren.” Dr Hiller said. At the present modern level of development, diagnostic radiology was not going to hurt anyone. “Our problem is to educate the public by emphasising the

immense benefits of X-rays” ne said. “Our aim is to state me facts clearly and objectively and thereby gain pubhe confidence.” Diagnostic radiology had kept abreast of the rapidly advancing field of heart surgery. Tremendous advances in open heart surgery had been made in the last five or six years and this would have been impossible without adequate investigation, mainly radiological. “The teaching of radiology to students in New Zealand is probably in advance of that in Australia,’’ he said. Dr. Hiller said he would be firmly behind any interchange of trainee radiologists between New Zealand and Australia, preferably at the registrar or second-year registrar level. He suggested about a year in either country. Dr. Hiller is touring New Zealand as the second holder of a travelling fellowship inhugurated by the College of Radiologists of Australasia and named after Mr E. Rouse, chairman of the Baker Medical Research Institute, Melbourne.