The roentgen-ray in the treatment of skin diseases / Howard Fox, M.D., New York.

  • Fox, Howard, 1873-1947
Date:
1924
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The roentgen-ray in the treatment of skin diseases / Howard Fox, M.D., New York. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    it is now possible to dispense with pastilles and measure the dosage of roentgen ray by indirect means, with considerable accuracy (even greater than with pastilles). Such indirect (electrical) measurement of dosage is obtained by certain combinations of four factors including milliamperage, spark gap, time and distance (from anode to skin). Remer and Witherbee 1 were able to establish a set of such factors for both filtered and unfiltered radiation, which have stood the practical tests of efficiency and safety in the hands of many. By means of arithmetical formulas, the different factors can be changed to suit the convenience of the operator. To obtain what Remer and Witherbee have designated as one skin unit (a quantity of roentgen ray which will cause a temporary epilation of the scalp), I have used for routine work the following factors: two milliainperes, 6 inch (15.24 cm) spark gap, three minutes, 8 inch (20.32 cm.) distance (anode to skin). One-half skin unit was pro¬ duced in one and one-half minutes and one-fourth skin unit in forty- five seconds, the other three factors remaining the same. When it was desired to shorten the time, one skin unit was obtained by using 3 milliainperes, 6 inch spark gap, one minute and nineteen seconds and 61/) inch distance. The foregoing factors refer solely to unfiltered irra¬ diation. To obtain what has been called one “filtered unit,'’ the follow¬ ing factors (from Remer and Witherbee’s formula) were used: five milliainperes, 9 inch (22.86 cm.) spark gap, two minutes and thirty- four seconds, 10 inch (25.4 cm.) distance (anode to skin). For two filtered units an exposure of seven minutes was given, the other factors remaining the same. The terms skin unit and filtered unit, as described above, will be used in this paper to indicate dosage. A method has been devised by Kingery 2 for maintaining maximum cumulative effects (saturation) of roentgen ray in the tissues. While of great interest and full of promise, this work has not to my knowl¬ edge been corroborated. While a lengthy discussion of technical details is not within the province of this paper, a few words in this connection may not be amiss. The opinion is held by some that the administration of roentgen- 1. For a discussion of the -subject of indirect measurement by electrical methods the reader is referred to MacKee’s comprehensive book on “X-rays and Radium Treatment of Diseases of the Skin,” Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger, 1921. Remer, J., and Witherbee, W. D.: The Action of X-Rays on Plate, Pastille and Skin, Am. J. Roentgenol. 4:303 (June) 1917. MacKee, G. M.: Arithmetical Computation of Roentgen Ray Dosage., J. Cutan. Dis. 37:783 (Dec.) 1919. Witherbee, W. D., and Remer, J.: A Practical Method of Roentgen Ray Dosage Without the Aid of a Radiometer, Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 1:558 (May) 1920. 2. Kingery, L. B.: Saturation in Roentgen Therapy. Its Estimation and Maintenance, Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 1:423 (April) 1920.
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