X-RAY CURIOSITIES.

Western Star, 31 December 1923, Page 4

X-RAY CURIOSITIES.

Doctors at the Melbourne .Hospital see much, of the humorous side 9!’ life as well, as the tragic. Perhaps one of the most' interesting phases of the hospitals activities is the X-ray department. Here many strange stories are, told of how injuries have been received, while the circumstances in which article have been swallowed often cause amusement -to the attendants.

In a portion of the “plate” room is a collection of the most interesting foreign bodies,” which have been removed from patients and which are being, kept as “curios.” Some time ago a man was brought into the Xray department suffering from a bullet wouncf in. the noise and the forehead. He stated that he was, tired of life, and had unsuccessfully attempted to shoot himself. His nose and head were examined under the X-ray, but no trace of the bullet could be found. Xhe, were puzzled, and they doubted whether the man’s story was true.

When the patient was about to leave the room one of the doctors noticed that one of his fingers was bandaged. He was asked how the finger had been* injured. The man explained that he conld not bear the sight of blood, and when he pointed the gun towards his head he put Ids hand over his eyes and fired. This gave the doctors a, clue. They examined his finger under the. X-ray, and embedded in it-was the missing bullet.

The man was delighted that his finger . liad saved liis life, and he promised never to get- depressed..again. Another bullet .’which was recovered from the skull of a man who had also attempted to commit suicide- was entirely flattened. It’s no good me attempting to l shoot myself,” said the man when shown the bullet, “as I must be 'thick’ in the head. Nothin o- can penetrate it.” This bullethas also been kept as a. curiosity. A toy horse- which a child liad swallowed was recently .recovered and iiauded back to it. Wlien a woman, who' stated that she had swallowed her wedding ring, was examined, two large hairpins, which slie could not recollect having swallowed, weic also found. \ From another woman were recovered two hairpins each 3| inches long. The woman explained that white’ she'' was doing her hair her sister thumped'her -on the back and tihe swallowed, the hairpins. TII9 most difficult case was that of a woman who swallowed two- safetypins, one of which was open, ' while she was running into the kitchen to save the milk which was boiling over. A collection of small coins, including a shilling, were recovered from the stomach of a boy, who is known as the human money box.” False teeth are frequently being recovered from persons who have swallowed them in the most -extra 01 dinary circumstances. ! ,