In December, I89ó, Professor Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen
'ave to the Wurzburg Physico -Medical Society, and to tie
whole world ,a paper entitled, "A new form of Radiation ",
which was destined to mark the commencement of a new
era in skin -therapeutics. For although the reactions
of this new influence on healthy and diseased skin were
not understood until some time after Rontgen's discovery,
the work done by that eminent scientist laid the foundation of future valuable research. Numberless troublesome
skin diseases hav- been treated more or less successfu}ly
by this method. The irradiation treatment is now a recognised one in such affections as Lupus Vulgaris , Sucosis Menti, Hypertrychosis, and Favus, while in many
other kinds of skin trouble, such as Eczema, Psoriasis,
Carcinoma of the skin, Lupu. Erythematosus, and so on,
great benefit has been known to result from the use of
the rays.
We are c6ncerned in this paper only with the effects
produced in cases of Lupus Vulgaris, and it may be said
at once that an endeavour has been made to limit the scope of the discussion to this form of skin disease as
much as possible, because the area of subject matter is
extensive enough for handling in a paper of these dimensions.
The following distribution of material may not be
most perfect one, but it is obviously difficult to bring
a vast number of facts into any conformity , unless such
or a similar method be employed. It has been my intention
to state the various details, firstly as observed by myself
and secondly as written by others, as clearly, concisely,
and truthfully, as possible, knowing full well the many
difficulties entailed.
We propose, then, to deal with our subject under the fallowing headings:
1. A brief account of the Apparatus used by the
author of this paper during the last four and a half years
for Röntgen photography, and to a limited extent also for
Radio-therapeutics.
2. The history of a Case of Lupus Vulgaris, treated by the X -Rays. with a short description of the technique
employed.
3. A historical record of the earlier papers
on the subject of the treatment of Lupus by these means.
4. An analytical and critical exposition
of the most important work of foreign and British authorities dealing with the same.
5. A note on the histological researches regarding tissues treated therapeutically by these means.
