THE ATTITUDE OF THE CLINICIAN IN REGARD TO EXPOSING PATIENTS TO THE X-RAY.

Abstract

In its relation to medical practice, one of the most remarkable things about the<i>x</i>-ray is the tardiness with which there was any realization of its power of producing very marked changes in other tissues than those superficially situated. So large a number of persons have for years been exposed to the action of the<i>x</i>-ray that it seems strange, indeed, that, while it is now known to have very decided and sometimes profound constitutional effects, the recognition of such effects by clinicians has come only after years of use, and chiefly because of purely empirical and even haphazard clinical observations. In fact, for some time after it became reasonably evident that it influences the general organism, many persons persistently doubted whether the general effects were actually due to the<i>x</i>-ray. <h3>X-RAY AND METABOLISM.</h3> At present this doubt is thoroughly dispelled, for more extended trial with patients