The use of the Röntgen ray by the Medical Department of the United States Army in the War with Spain (1898) / prepared under the direction of Surgeon-General George M. Sternberg ... by W.C. Borden.

  • William Cline Borden
Date:
1900
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The use of the Röntgen ray by the Medical Department of the United States Army in the War with Spain (1898) / prepared under the direction of Surgeon-General George M. Sternberg ... by W.C. Borden. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    THE STATIC APPARATUS. The static machines now used for the ]U’oduction of Rontg-en radiation are of the Wimshurst-Holtz t^-pe, wliich includes a charger and an induction a})paratus, the latter consisting of eight or ten circular glass plates sup- [)orted on an axle, with intervening oblong plates of glass, combs, connections, etc., all inclosed in a case of glass and Avood. The circular plates are revolved by hand or by motor power. With the latter, a motor of one-sixth to one-fourth horsepower is required. The static machines used by the Medical Department were made by Otis Clapp & Son, of Providence, R. I. Their apparatus weighs about 500 pounds, is well constructed and reliable, and, with proper manipulation, gives Rontgen rays of high power. COIL APPARATUS. The coil machines used by the Medical Dejiartment Avere of several different patterns. They comprised those made by the Edison Manufactur- ing Company, the Fessenden Company, and the General Electric CompaiiA’. In these apparatus, the primary current is supplied from primary bat- teries, storage batteries, or dynamos, and all these different means Avere in use during the war. The Edison machines Avere the type operated bA' Edison-Lalande cells. The Fessenden machines, and that of the General Electric Company, were supplied Avitli storage batteries or with current from dynamos. Where a dynamo current can be had it is the best kind of cur- rent, as it is always ready for use and can be had in sufficient and constant fpiantity. It is, hoAvever, rarely available for Rontgen ray apparatus used for military piuqioses, except on hospital ships, as few military hosjiitals are sup})lied Avith electric plants or are situated where current from them can be obtained. In consequence, primary or secondary (storage) flatteries, ordinarily have to be used. STOKAOE BATTERIES. These l)atteries Avhen in good working order yield excellent results. They are objectionable on account of their bulk and Aveight, and especially from their being apt to get out of order aud yield currents uncertain in quantity unless they are constantly used and carefully attended to. Another disadvantage is, that as they are an intermediary method of supplying electricity, they require a source from which to obtain their charge. Where