THE BOOTH MASSAGE AND MEDICAL ELECTRICAL INSTITUTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2654, 25 January 1905, Page 17

THE BOOTH MASSAGE AND MEDICAL ELECTRICAL INSTITUTE.

AN X-RAY DEMONSTRATION.

j In response to a special invitation from | Mr and Mrs D. Edwin Booth, massaeurs i and medical electi'ieians, between 20 and ,30 well-known ladies and gentlemen _ assembled at 262 George street on Thursday afternoon for the purpose of inspecting and ! witnessing an exhibition of new and expensive X-ray . and other electrical apparatus which has recently been imported and added to the appliances of the institute. ' Mr Booth gave a long and interesting ex- ; hibition of the powers of the Rontgen 1 X-rays in illuminating and exposing solid substances in different parts of the body, and also explained the process by which this was accomplished, and he afterwards exhibited Rontgen ray photographs, and I gave a practical illustration of how these ! were obtained. Solid coins hidden between I the covers of books, and coins, etc., contained in purses, were also exposed to the raya and exposed. The many and varied exhibitions given were followed with close interest by the invited guests, and at the conclusion of the explanations an inspection was made of the many up-to-date appliances which are comprised in the furnishings of the well equipped establishment. During an interval in the proceedings, and while a number of guests were partaking of afternoon tea, The Hon. G. M'Lean, M.L.C., took occasion to personally compliment Mr Booth upon the enterprise and energy which he had put into the development of his profession. Starting with comparatively nothing, he had pushed forward step by step until he had that day one of the most complete establishments of the kind in the colonies. The latest addition to the extensive medical apparatus was the Rontgen X-rays, an exhibition of the powers of which had been illustrated that afternoon, and which, he understood, was the most up-to-date and L complete rays in New Zealand. Speaking personally of Mr Booth's treatment, he remarked that he had been treated by him afc various times, and with the most satisj factory results. A large portion of the income that had been earned in the past had been expended in the importation of the very latest instruments for the treatment of patients, and he trusted that the ; enterprise and energy shown would be rewarded financially in the near future, as ifc was well deserved. He was convinced that if persons who suffered from ailments which were the result of inability to take physical exercise or other causes would place themselves under Mr Booth's care, they would obtain relief and cure, and when the many came to know of th© existence of an institute of the kind Mr and Mrs Booth would probably have more , patients than they could attend to. Mr Alex. Burt endorsed what had been said by Mr M'Lean, and also spoke of the relief and cure ho had obtained from a painful ailment which otherwise would have been treated by surgery. Mr E. E. Stark, electrical expert, said from the qualifications and diplomas which he had inspected, and from his personal knowledge, there was no one in the city more qualified or capable of carrying- on electrical-medical work than Mr Booth. ! His medical-electrical qualifications were of a high order, and his experience in the treatment of patients by other methods would be of service to him in utilising the up-to-date apparatus. Mr Booth briefly thanked the speakers for their kind references to his effoifcs, and assured them that, as in the past, he would do all he could to make the institute the equal Qt asythiae; in the colonies, WJiU '

regard to the work to which the X-ray« would be applied, he might state he intended to make a specialty of skiagraphy — that was, taking- photographs of fractures, dislocations, etc., — so thai; such injuries might be treated with more certainty as to their nature than could be the case without; the knowledge the Rontgen rays gave. On Tuesday of the present w.eek he had issued an invitation to a large number of medical men in the city to inspect the new Rontgen rays apparatus, and all had expressed themselves as highly pleased with its efficiency. The X-ray outfit comprises an induction ooil with, a 12in spark, one of the very latest and improved type. The make and break device is separated from the coil by what is known as a mercury interrupter— a small motor working a metallic conductor, which makes and breaks contact with the mercury by 'rapidly slipping below its surface and out again. The frequency of the interruptions is varied by regulating the speed of the motor by means of a small rheostat situated upon the switchboard. This boarc , which is placed on the side of the wall, is marble-topped, and contains numerous switches tor setting the motor going, turning on the current to the coil, etc., large and small rheostats. In front of the coil there are two stand-dischargers. These aro used for regulating the distance of the spark gap, and Mr Booth showed a series of sparks of 4-in, 6:n, Bin, lOin, and 12in. From these discharges arc connected well-insulated wire, which in turn is connected to th© X-ray tube. The tube is held in a stand, which has every conceivable movement for adjusting the tube to a nicety. Mr Booth! has a large number of these tubes, aJI of large size, and he has two fluoroscopes, with removable screens of different sizes, intensifying screens, etc.

The electrical plant was especially imported and erected by Messrs Turnbull and Jones, electricians.

Senior-constable Boulton, who died in Victoria recently, figured in a picturesque incident with Constable Milne, now Inspector Milne. Both were through the campaign against the notorious Kelly gang of bushrangers, and both took part in the memorable final fight afc Glenrowan, where Ned Kelly was wounded and captured 1 . Senior-constable Boulton retired from the force 15 months ago through ill-health, and on the completion of his thirtieth year of service.