NEW X-RAY MARVEL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10886, 26 February 1914, Page 6

NEW X-RAY MARVEL.

important invention. A score cf prominent American physicians and physicists were amazed a few weeks ago by a demonstration of an entirely new method of production X ray, discovered by Mr William D. Coolidge. This demonstration followed a dinner given to the inventor by Dr. G. L. Cole, of New York, and after it was over the physicians, many of them X ray experts, united in dec.laring that the method will revolutionise the present one of taking radiograph plates and of X ray treatment. A REVOLUTION. In speaking of the new method, Dr. Quimby said to a Daily Telegraph representative it will completely revolutionise that now in nse, hut one or two years work would be required to make the application safe in the treatment of diseases, except in the hands of skilled experts. The new. tabs gives X rays of the most remarkable penetrating power, and, it is claimed, is controlled to a degree undreamed of when Rontgen made his discovery. It is the result of research conducted in the laboratories of the General Electric Company daring a period of three years, and utilises the principle that certain metals like plati num, when heated in a vaocum, give off a stream of charged particles. With the aid of a powerful electric correct these particles, or ions as they are called, are driven against a tungsten plate within the vacuum tubs. They strike this, and X rays are produced. VEINS AND NERVES SHOWN. As Mr Ooolidge puts it, “The iona have been stewed out of the heated metal.’’ The penetration of the rays depends upon the speed with which they are driven against the tungsten plate. It was democstra'ed, according to tiiose present, that rays were generated powerful enough to give full treatment in fifteen seconds. The usual thre with the most powerful apparatus is more than fifteen minutes. Complete destruction of living tissue may he caused by an exposure of three minutes, and so remarkable is the control of the production of the rays by this method that at will the soft tissues of tiie body, the veins and nerves, may he shown, or the densest part of the body may he pictured 100 faet from tiie tube. A POSSIBLE CURE FOR OANOER. The amazement of the experts camj when a collection of pictures was exhibited by the inventor. These pictures were heartily cheered The question arose whether the new tube would ha instrumental in curing cancer. While physicians were willing to admit that it would he a powerful aid, and might turn out to ha the long sought cure, they are conservative in their statements to the public, aud more especially because in America quite recently many false hopes have been held out by means cf new discoveries which later investigation has proved highly impivohable.