^ecSrTwoT'}     Therapeutic  Application  of  the  X-Rays.  583 
kind  are  so  variable  that,  for  the  present  at  least,  we  have  no  definite 
or  satisfactory  clue  or  data  for  comparison. 
What  we  can  say  definitely  is,  that  a  vacuum  tube,  working  under 
favorable  conditions,  will  penetrate  a  part  of  the  human  body  and 
produce  a  demonstrable  change  in  a  photographic  plate  without  any 
apparent  change  or  effect  in  the  part  of  the  body  that  has  been 
penetrated. 
A  longer  exposure,  however,  appears  to  have  a  soothing  or  ano- 
dyne effect,  even  in  cases  where  the  patient  appears  to  be  suffering 
considerable  pain. 
A  still  longer  exposure  will,  depending  on  the  resistance  of  the 
individual  and  the  length  and  condition  of  the  exposure,  produce  a 
more  or  less  decided  local  change  in  the  cells  of  the  part.  This 
change  may  vary  from  the  production  of  increased  pigment,  giving 
the  surface  a  decidedly  yellow  or  even  brownish  appearance  through 
the  various  stages  of  dermatitis,  or  inflammation,  simulating  sun- 
burn, to  the  production  of  a  severe  brushburn  resulting  in  a  deep 
slough  or  ulcer. 
For  therapeutic  purposes  this  third  stage  can,  by  proper  precau- 
tions, be  kept  under  control,  and  in  this  way  we  are  able  to  bring 
about  changes  that  will  result  in  the  ultimate  disappearance  of  some 
pathological  conditions. 
It  must  be  remembered,  however,  that  the  number  of  factors  that 
necessarily  enter  into  the  use  of  the  X-rays  as  a  therapeutic  agent; 
the  variability  of  the  source  of  the  energy,  and  the  marked  differ- 
ence in  the  resisting  powers  of  the  individual,  allow  of  such  a  wide 
variation  in  the  ultimate  results,  that  the  use  or  suggestion  of  this 
means  of  treatment  should  be  left  entirely  with  the  medical  pro- 
fession. 
The  medical  journals  are  giving  considerable  space  to  the  liberal 
discussion  of  the  possibilities  of  this  new  therapeutic  agent,  so  that 
there  is  no  excuse  for  the  modern  physician  not  being  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  all  the  advances  as  made.  It  will  be  quite  safe, 
therefore,  for  the  pharmacist  to  advise  his  customers  and  friends  to 
abide  by  the  decision  and  advice  of  their  family  physician,  even  in 
case  this  does  not  agree  with  the  reputed  advances  in  medicine  as 
heralded  in  the  daily  papers. 
