A year from now we commemorate the centenary of The Great War, gone down in history as the first industrial war, a brutal slaughter on a scale never experienced before.
In Flanders' Fields and on the French and German front lines an adolescent medical discipline, barely nineteen years old, reaches full adulthood: RADIOLOGY. This diagnostic specialty's unique signifi cance is recognized by all other medical specialties from the first days of its existence.
The circumstances of the war propel radiology's development in ultra-fastforward. In addition to the diagnosis of fracture and disease, the localization of projectiles is its outstanding priority. Antibiotics are not yet in existence; thus the immediate removal of a foreign body is extremely critical since preventing infection is practically the sole guarantee for the healing, if not the survival of the wounded soldier.
Amidst the desperation of a stalemate in the war the pioneer-radiologists labor like true heroes and fight their way to their patients' salvation, often at the peril of their own health. The “ray of X” becomes a ray of hope. We also remember that radiologists and their assistants are amongst the first “nuclear victims” due to the radiation exposure during their work.
Despite (or thanks to?) this chaotic theatre, radiology takes a big leap forward. By the end of the war it earns its stars & bars side by side with the other medical disciplines. After the war no hospital, no clinic goes without X-rays any longer.
The contributions made by American, British, French, Belgian and German radiologists are extensively discussed and illustrated in a true historic perspective.
From the author's background as a radiologist this lavishly illustrated 220 page book (more than 260 figures, some of them in colour) offers an overview on the subject that is probably unique in the world.
In Flanders' Fields and on the French and German front lines an adolescent medical discipline, barely nineteen years old, reaches full adulthood: RADIOLOGY. This diagnostic specialty's unique signifi cance is recognized by all other medical specialties from the first days of its existence.
The circumstances of the war propel radiology's development in ultra-fastforward. In addition to the diagnosis of fracture and disease, the localization of projectiles is its outstanding priority. Antibiotics are not yet in existence; thus the immediate removal of a foreign body is extremely critical since preventing infection is practically the sole guarantee for the healing, if not the survival of the wounded soldier.
Amidst the desperation of a stalemate in the war the pioneer-radiologists labor like true heroes and fight their way to their patients' salvation, often at the peril of their own health. The “ray of X” becomes a ray of hope. We also remember that radiologists and their assistants are amongst the first “nuclear victims” due to the radiation exposure during their work.
Despite (or thanks to?) this chaotic theatre, radiology takes a big leap forward. By the end of the war it earns its stars & bars side by side with the other medical disciplines. After the war no hospital, no clinic goes without X-rays any longer.
The contributions made by American, British, French, Belgian and German radiologists are extensively discussed and illustrated in a true historic perspective.
From the author's background as a radiologist this lavishly illustrated 220 page book (more than 260 figures, some of them in colour) offers an overview on the subject that is probably unique in the world.
