An Australian perspective on chiropractic spinography

Daniel David Palmer and Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen were born in the same year, and each of them, at the age of fifty, made the discovery for which he came to be best known. Both of them built upon earlier theories and discoveries. Roentgen's discovery, x-ray, was to become an indispensable diagnostic tool for the profession which grew out of Palmer's discovery, chiropractic. This paper traces some of the developments which led to the discovery of x-ray, early milestones in applied radiography, and the emergence of spinography in chiropractic. Special emphasis is given to chiropractic innovations in roentgenography and the use of spinography by chiropractors practising in Australia.

Centennial of Röntgen's discovery of x-rays

November 8, 1995, marked the 100th anniversary of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen's discovery of x-rays. This remarkable scientific achievement has had an effect on medicine and science that has been matched by few other advances. I will briefly review the events leading up to Röntgen's discovery and the subsequent development of radiology as a discipline.

[The discovery of X-rays and their introduction to Japan at the end of the 19th century]

The discovery of X-rays was first reported in Japan on February 29, 1896 by the TOKYO IJISHINPOU, a widely distributed medical journal, which translated Jastrowitz's presentation on the newly discovered X-rays at the meeting of the Berliner Gesellschaft für Innere Medizin on January 6, 1896. The most important early report on X-rays from Germany was that of H. Nagaoka, who had attended the festival of das 50 jährige Bestehen der Berliner Physikalischen Gesellschaft on January 4, 1896. The report with a roentgenograph of a human hand (not that of Mrs Roentgen) appeared in the TOUYOU GAKUGEI ZASSHI, issued on March 25, 1896. Physicists in a few institutes in Tokyo were said to have carried out successful roentgenography by the middle of March 1896. The first booklet containing a roentgenograph of a human hand taken by Japanese researchers was published on May 15, 1896.

A history of computers and computerized imaging

The computers has revolutionized diagnostic imaging, making possible techniques such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, sonography and computed radiography. This article traces the historical development of computers and demonstrates how their brief association with the radiologic sciences has transformed diagnostic medicine.

[History of diagnostic imaging in the area of the head-neck]

The head and neck region is a limited anatomical area in radiological diagnostics. Nevertheless, head and neck radiology has a long and interesting history with excellent scientists involved in its development. Before the discovery of X-rays, no information about the head and neck could be obtained without surgery or even autopsy. Therefore, conventional radiograms and special projections were an important step forward. During the 1950s, a second diagnostic breakthrough was achieved by the introduction of tomographic techniques. Film tomography was the first step in this important development. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging yielded astonishing and unforeseen results. Especially in the field of magnetic resonance imaging, the technical development has not yet come to an end. Scientific research and continuing education are required in order to achieve further advances in head and neck radiology, and European cooperation is on the way.

[Circumstances surrounding the discovery of Röntgen rays]

The 8th of November marks the centennial of the discovery of Röntgen rays. This discovery occurred serendipitously during an experiment with cathode rays by the physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in Würzburg, Germany. Not many other discoveries in basic natural science have had such an enormous impact and immediate application in medicine. Röntgen had a Dutch connection, since he spent 17 years of his childhood and youth in the Netherlands. In his final school report, the only subject in which the later Nobel prize winner in physics received poor marks was physics! Notes released 70 years after Röntgen received his prize revealed that the Nobel Committee for Physics actually had recommended that the prize be divided equally between Röntgen and Philipp Lenard, another eminent German physicist.

Diagnostic radiology better images--lower dose compromise or correlation? A European strategy with historical overview

Quality Criteria for diagnostic radiographic images include the definition of necessary image details, performance of the imaging system and appropriate choice of radiographic parameters. Actions have established a framework for the optimisation of these three groups of Quality Criteria. Their evolution, practice and efficacy will be demonstrated for conventional and digital radiology. The link between the Quality Criteria and exposure of the patient and staff will be discussed. The historical follow up of these aspects will appreciate the efforts done all over Europe since the twenties and will reveal the potential for continuously optimising diagnostic radiology in many respects: in day-to-day practice, new technical design and radiological concepts.

[Tuberculosis and radiologic diagnosis 100 years after W. C. Roentgen]

The discovery of the x-rays by W. C. Roentgen 100 years ago significantly improved the diagnosis and follow-up of tuberculosis, therapy control became possible, and the basis for prevention was set by early detection. Within few years, the "Roentgen" rays had been made a triumphant progress around the world, and Roentgenology was established as an independent medical discipline. Even after a century of developments like tomography, ultrasound, conventional/-high resolution and spiral computed tomography, digital radiography, digital subtraction angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging, innovations in the field of medical imaging appear to be unlimited, an evolution, which had been initiated by Roentgen. Today, therapists and radiologists are again challenged by the renaissance of tuberculosis, partially in new "clothes" by increasing numbers of HIV-patients. These specific changes clinically and radiological often appear atypical, and require subtile radiological diagnostics with the use of new imaging modalities. CT and MRI allow for follow-up of chemotherapy in mediastinal lymph node disease, significantly improve pleural diagnosis, and both are methods of choice in vertebral and cerebral tuberculous disease. Digital radiography and digital net-work allow for x-rays at the lowest dose, improved comparison in the follow-up, as well as for "online"-evaluation of images on the department's screen. Today, optimal diagnosis of tuberculosis includes the bacteriologic and clinical diagnosis and radiological imaging. To face the challenge of recurrent tuberculosis in in the second century after after Roentgen successfully, an intensive interdisciplinary cooperation of therapists and radiologists is necessary.

[100 years roentgen rays--a discovery conquers the medical world]

In the second half of the nineteenth century the prerequisites for research on the discharge of electricity in gases and the related phenomena were fulfilled. The first gas discharge tubes are associated with names like GeiBler, Hittorf, Crookes, Goldstein, Lenard and Hertz. These researchers studied the electrons escaping from the cathode, magnetic and electrical influence, chemical results, loss of energy and heating up of the anode. Lenard and Jackson were the first to describe phenomena outside the tube, but related the effects to electrons. It was W.C. Roentgen who discovered the ¿unknown rays¿; he systematically measured their penetrating properties and described them a short time thereafter. The scientific world was ready for this discovery, and the new of Roentgen's findings spread across the world in a matter of days, followed by intensive development of this innovation. The first and most important 35 years of development of the different types of X-rays tubes are described.

History of the shielding of diagnostic x-ray facilities

The results of inadequate protection of radiation workers against the harmful effects of diagnostic x-rays became appallingly apparent shortly after the turn of this century. After these effects (which included erythema, malignancy, and even death) became widely known, efforts were begun to implement recommendations to reduce the hazards to radiologic workers and members of the general public. This work will trace the development of diagnostic radiation shielding standards from the earliest days to the present time.

New Jersey radiology: the first decade

Within months of Roentgen's discovery of x-rays, physicians were anxious to learn about the new technology. The Transactions of MSNJ kept practitioners informed about the applications and the dangers of medical radiology. The author looks back at the first decade of radiology in New Jersey.

One hundred years of medical diagnostic imaging technology

Imaging technology for medical diagnostic purposes had its beginning with the discovery of x rays in 1895. Over the past 100 years, the technological advances of x-ray tubes, power generation, imaging detectors, imaging techniques, nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound have been astounding. A look back at where we have been, where we are, and in some instances where we are going with respect to a range of imaging technologies is the focus of this paper.

X rays in diagnostic radiology

An overview of the technical developments in and growth of the diagnostic use of x rays over the century since their discovery is presented. The major developments described include the introduction of the hot cathode x-ray tube, the Potter-Bucky grid, the image intensifier, the computerized tomographic scanner, and the adoption of the digital computer for image processing, display, and storage. Other significant but smaller advances discussed include improved film/screen technology, the rotating anode tube, linear tomography, and some recent advances in image receptors.

The early years of radiology in New Jersey: an interview with C. Richard Weinberg, MD. Interview by Barbara Smith Irwin

C. Richard Weinberg, MD, began his career in 1941 at Newark Beth Israel Hospital. Dr. Weinberg was interviewed in an oral history project documenting the history of radiology in New Jersey. Dr. Weinberg's recollections provide a first-hand look at the changes in radiology.