MARVELS OF DIAGNOSIS

Evening Star, Issue 18817, 16 December 1924, Page 4

MARVELS OF DIAGNOSIS

EARLY TREATMENT OF CANCER. NEW RADIO-PHOTOGRAPHY, At Ems, on-ihcLahn, in the Spa that entered the realm of history in July, 1870, when, the old Emperor Wilhelm I. had his final interview with Benedotti, a wonderful institution, for the diagnosis of all diseases through the medium of the Routgen rays, was to be reopened recently, following enlargement and the installation of now apparatus. Dr Dicner, for some years the assistant to tho world-famous Professor Lexer, of Freiburg, in Breisgau, is in charge, and very kindly took mo over the institute a few days before it was in full working order (writes the ‘Observer’s ’ correspondent). Tho builders are giving finishing touches, but nearly all the machinery is installed, and a part is in use.

The new radio-photography is likely to effect a revolution of the most favorable kind in the- world of medicine and surgery. The old X-ray photograph took from 3scc to sscc to complete, and, owing to the natural movement of the internal organs, was often ineffective ; the now photography takes no more than one-tenth of a second, and gives results hitherto well-nigh unattainable. There are no longer in tho human body any secret places wherein disease may'lurk. A patient on entering the institute drinks a mixture of citobarinra and chocolate, which is by no means unpleasant to the palate, and in a quarter of an hour tho rays will tell tho expert observer if there is any hidden, trouble. Sometimes it is necessary to make two, or even three, applications of tho light, but they are practically instantaneous and quite innocuous. CANCER PROBLEMS. Dr Dicner showed mo a series of photographs of internal tumors and cancers; they were clear enough in all their ugliness, even to the untrained eye. In some eases, where the liver is the seat of trouble, the photograph is, only obtained after blowing air through a needle to raise tho skin and muscular system from above the liver itself; but, this done, everything is revealed. Dr Dicner explained that many cancers give no trouble in (he early stages, and a.re consequently not suspected until they have grown beyond the relief of surgery. Very often one hears of eases in which surgeons have actually .stalled an operation, only to find that it cannot, he continued; it is not difficult to imagine the agony of mind that comes with awakening. Early diagnosis rendered, more exact, through the medium of the latest devices will save all this.

“In my opinion,” said Dr Dicner, “diagnosis by the new, photography will increase by 50 per cent, the number of cancers that can he discovered and treated in time, while, of course, there will he no need to open up a patient to discover (hat the ease is past cure.” To emphasise this, he showed me photographs of inoperable infernal conditions. In these coses radium treatment is employed sometimes with success, one case of cancer in the shoulder hone and another of cancer in tho foot having healed completely, the first, after six months, the second after only a few weeks. SEEING THE HEART.

The new diagnosis is effective in many cases other than cancer. For tho heart there is a machine, an electro-cardiograph, that shows the workings of that great and often troublesome muscle; and there is another machine that enables tho doctor not only to soo the patient’s heart, but lo record its shape and size as he does so on a sheet of paper behind the patient’s back. There are, other special instruments with electric bulbs for testing the conditions of (he kidney and bladder. They look extremely forbidding, but Dr Dicner says there is no pain that the application of local anesthesia cannot overcome.

The new institution, which stands alone in Germany, enables any man or woman to have all the internal organs tested. This complete overhaul may take three, or even four, days; but at the e.nd of that time the visitor will know if he is suffering from any incipient malady, and will ho told to consult, a suitable physician or surgeon. The institute concerns itself only wit diagnosis—all treatment is given elsewhere ; but it is safe to say Unit no serious operation will be conducted either in Kins or its immediate neighborhood until suitable photographs have been made here. They are a priceless guide to the surgeon, who knows to the fraction of an inch whore ho will find what ho is seeking; ami they must boa, satisfaction to (he patient, because he is at least assured beforehand that bis trouble is ascertained and definitely located. The element of faulty diagnosis disappears. MODERATE FEES. The fees charged for treatment are very moderate. For the ordinary examination which tells if all is well within tho price is 16s for each use, of the light, mid, as a rule, two applications suffice. For tho more complicated examinations that require photographic record prices vary, but in no ordinary case do they exceed £3. People in reduced, circumstances are treated at half-price, while those who come with a certificate, from their burgomcister testifying that they are unable to pay are not charged. Dr Dicner is a vigorous enthusiast in the middle thirties; ho is quite convinced that in the new diagnosis there is a medium for the prevention of malignant disease. Ems is leading Germany just at present, but the time, mus! come when similar diagnostic institutes will bo established throughout. Western Europe. Then the practice of regular examination will enable the Rontpen rays to give the earliest possible indication of every trouble, so directing the physician or the surgeon in their dealings with symptoms whilo thev will still yield to treatment.