Wayne State University School of Medicine - Yearbook (Detroit, MI)

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l l DEPARTME T OF RQLCGY James M. Pic-:rcc,jr., Chairman SITTING: Harold V. Morley, Donald jallar, james M. Pierce, jr., Kessler. FACULTY NOT PICTURED: George R. Sewell, Guy W. Frank B. Bicknell. STANDING: Albert Albrecht, Harvey Y. Lewis, Sewell, Robert C. Thumannhjr. George L. Reno, Edward Shumaker, William Hopkins, Charles

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F HN.- , 1 -R 'W' . 'Z -JC' , The Bettmann Archive Earliest type of x-ray apparatus CI896l. Shown standing is Dr. Ed C. Jerman, known as the father of x-ray technique. In December, 1895, Wilhelm Konrad Rontgen pub- lished the first description of a new kind of ray, ' initiat- ing what can .justifiably be termed a new era in the field of medicine. The discovery of these rays, termed x-rays by Rontgen because of their unknown nature, occurred during his investigations on cathode rays and since many eminent observers had also been working with cathode rays over the preceding three years, R6ntgen's discovery can only be classed as one of the most important exam- ples of Serendipity in scientific history. R6ntgen's observations of the properties of x-rays included most importantly their ability to penetrate matter, to produce fluorescence in certain crystals, and to produce blackening of photographic emulsions. The discovery electrified the scientific world and within months, translations of the original work appeared in English, French, Dutch, Italian, Polish and Russian. Within months, the unique properties of these rays had been applied medically by many individuals, particularly in the detection of metallic foreign bodies. In fact, as early as April, 1896, a non-scientific article appeared in McClure's Magazine detailing the discovery and nature of x-rays and predicting Cby a non-professional writerl the possible uses of these rays in detecting morbid growths and other changes in the vital organs of the body. In the immediate years following R6ntgen's discovery, scientific developments in the application of these x-rays to medical diagnosis came so rapidly that within a few years diagnostic radiology was a well established dis- cipline in the field of medicine, Further improvements and refinements have occurred since with astonishing rapidity in what has been one of the fastest growing fields in medicine. The effects of x-rays upon tissue were also soon recog- nized and led to their use therapeutically, particularly in attempts to eradicate cancer. In relation to this, it is important to note two discoveries which were really the direct consequence of R6ntgen's discovery of x-rays- namely, Henri Becquerel's description in 1896 of natural radioactivity emanating from Uranium and, subse- quently, Marie and Pierre Curieis discovery of Radium in 1898. Later observations and discoveries by many eminent scientists have led to the branch of radiology known as nuclear medicine with its many uses of natur- ally radioactive substances as well as artificially pro- duced radioactive isotopes. 'Ueber eine neue Art von Strahlen. CVorlaufige Mittheilungfi in Sitzungsberichte der Physikalisch- medizinischen Gesellschaft zu Wiirzburg. 59

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4 ,ls 'S-1 I 1 L The Bettmann Archive Doctor scans urine, feels pulse of pining lady. Urology is a relatively recent surgical specialty which was able to develop as a separate discipline primarily because ofthe invention of the cystoscope in the period of 1870-1900. Miniaturization of the incandescent lamp enabled the development of an accurate light source for endoscopic examination ofthe bladder. The development of the cystoscope lead to development of a resectoscope enabling transurethral surgery of the prostate to be performed. Intravenous pyelography was developed in 1929 which lead to further refinement in the diagnostic techniques in this specialty. The establishment of excellent residency programs has lead to further sophistication coupled with active research programs in the specialty which has further enhanced our knowledge of urologic disease. The application of newer modalities of diagnosis such as cinefluoroscopy with image amplification, angi- ography and accurate pressure studies using strain gauges has also advanced our knowledge of urologic disease. At the present time there are multiple centers scattered throughout the country which are productive, and extensive urologic literature has been built up and is growing rapidly. With the relatively aging population, urologic lesions are becoming of increasing importance in medicine. It is our hope that the fruits of these research programs will give us better insight into the basic patho- physiologic processes involved in urologic disease which will allow us to prevent or more successfully treat some of the urologic lesions that we currently face. 61