A Century of X-Rays and Radioactivity in Medicine: With Emphasis on Photographic Records of the Early Years / Edition 1

by R.F Mould

Overview

A Century of X-Rays and Radioactivity in Medicine: With Emphasis on Photographic Records of the Early Years celebrates three great discoveries-x-rays (1895), radioactivity (1896), and radium (1898)-and recalls the pioneering achievements that founded the new science of radiology and changed the face of medicine forever. Over 700 historical illustrations with full and informative captions are supported by short introductory essays to illuminate the fascinating radiological past in an easy-to-read style.

The focus of this book is on the historically more interesting early years of discovery, invention, diagnosis, therapy, dosimetry, risk, and protection. Interspersed with a variety of radiological anecdotes, the photographic record is complemented by archival accounts of the pioneer scientists and physicians and their early patients. In the chapters on diagnostic techniques, radiotherapy, and nuclear medicine, the author contrasts old methods with newer technologies. He also includes two fascinating chapters on museum and industrial applications of radiography. The book is comprehensively indexed for easy retrieval of the wide variety of people, techniques, apparatus, and examples featured throughout this radiological journey.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780750302241
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/01/1993
Pages:	234
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Discovery of x-rays: Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen. Discovery of radioactivity and radium: Henri Becquerel and Marie Curie. Early days of x-rays and radium: Diagnosis, therapy and experiment. The first radiological journal 1896 - 1899. Gas tubes 1895 - 1913. Spark coils and interruptors. Hot cathode x-ray tubes: William Coolidge and thermionic emission. Military radiography. Animal radiography. Diagnostic radiology. Paintings and museum artefacts. Industrial applications. External beam radiotherapy. Brachytherapy. Nuclear medicine. Radiation units and quantities and radiation measurement. Radiation risks and radiation protection.

Editorial Reviews

"… illustrated richly with an encyclopedic collection of most curios and enlightening prints depicting the entire course of the development of radiology in medical practice from the time of the discovery of x-rays and radioactivity from 1895 onward."
-International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology

"… a charming and quirky collection of the familiar and unfamiliar, the old and new, the mundane and bizarre. It is a treasure trove for instructors looking for anecdotes and at the same time, a solid source of historical information."
-Health Physics

"If you buy only one book on the history of radiology, then this should probably be it."
-The Radiology History and Heritage Charitable Trust, No. 5, Summer 1994

"… a timely book."
-Radiology, September 1994

"… a fascinating read. … an excellent book … deserves to be read widely … highly recommended…"
-The British Journal of Radiology

"… it is difficult to fault the author … As visual history, it is truly an eyeful."
-Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Volume 20, May 1995

"… a marvelous book! … I can recommend it as interesting, absorbing, and excellent value."
-SCOPE

"Anyone with the slightest interest in the application of radiation to medicine will find this volume a fascinating addition to their personal or institutional library. …profusely illustrated with compelling images … I strongly recommend this book, which will provide much enjoyable reading and fascinating insight into the development of radiation medicine, imaging, and therapy."
-European Journal of Nuclear Medicine

From the Publisher