Roentgenology

ROENTGENOLOGY, the science of X-rays. At the time of their discovery, the distinguishing property of these rays was considered to be their ability to penetrate dense media. In the first years of its development, roentgenology studied the internal structure of objects under investigation, utilizing the property of the rays to be absorbed to a greater or lesser degree depending on the specific gravity of the medium. Only a few months after the discovery of his rays, Roentgen delivered a lecture on them at the Berlin Medical Society and pointed out the importance of applying the rays in medicine. The ability to see what is happening inside an organ without opening it is so necessary for a physician that the application of X-rays spread with maximum rapidity and was restrained only by the development of technology. The first X-ray tubes and apparatus were low-powered and therefore suitable only for detecting gross bone changes, such as fractures and dislocations, or for locating metallic foreign bodies. This stage of diagnostic roentgenology, with its auxiliary role, gave clinical physicians cause to regard the roentgenologist as a sort of assistant and roentgenology as one of the auxiliary methods. However, as equipment (see X-ray Technology) and research methods improved, roentgenology took its place as an independent medical discipline (see X-ray Diagnosis). On the other hand, the idea that familiarity with the X-ray method is necessary for every physician regardless of specialty became indisputable. Therefore, universities in the West have departments of roentgenology, the course in which is mandatory for all. In pre-revolutionary Russia, roentgenology took root with difficulty. This was explained by the lack of apparatus manufacturing and the physicians' unfamiliarity with the new branch. Here, just as in the West, roentgenology had to fight for recognition as an independent branch of medicine. The striking successes and specific difficulties of X-ray diagnostics and, especially, therapy, on the one hand, forced the introduction of courses and practical exercises in roentgenology in universities. On the other hand, stubborn resistance to the formation of independent departments of roentgenology manifested itself. Only after the October Revolution and especially over the past 10 years has roentgenology developed greatly in the USSR and emerged as an independent discipline. The Ukrainian SSR and the Transcaucasian republics already have departments of roentgenology at medical institutes. Apparently, in the near future they will be established throughout the entire Union. Departments of roentgenology currently exist in several major medical institutes, the Military Medical Academy, and institutes for the advanced training of physicians, for example, in Leningrad, Moscow, and Kazan. Roentgenologists are united into associations: 1) the All-Union Association of Roentgenologists under the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, 2) the All-Russian Society of Roentgenologists and Radiologists under the People's Commissariat of Health of the RSFSR, 3) the Ukrainian and 4) the Transcaucasian associations under the respective People's Commissariats of Health of the republics. In addition, there are scientific X-ray societies of regional or city scale in many places. The larger ones are in Leningrad, Moscow, Kharkov, etc. The associations of roentgenologists have organized 6 All-Union congresses so far: I, II, and V in Moscow; III and IV in Leningrad; VI in Kiev. Since 1922, the journal «Vestnik Rentgenologii» (Herald of Roentgenology) has been published regularly. In addition, collections of experimental and clinical roentgenology from the Ukrainian State Institute of Roentgenology are published episodically. In the USSR, there is a number of X-ray institutes. The larger ones include: in Leningrad—the State Roentgenological, Radiological, and Oncological Institute and the institute at the Mechnikov Hospital; in Moscow—the State X-ray Institute, the Institute for the Treatment of Tumors, and institutes at certain hospitals; X-ray institutes in Kharkov, Kiev, and Tiflis.