Radiographer's work
By the 1930s radiography had advanced considerably from the early years of the ‘lay-assistants.’ The development of the technical aspects of the radiographer’s work was described by James Riddell in December 1932 (Riddell BJR 1932; 5(60): 903-909) with an interesting account of the early days.
Cuthbert Andrews
Cuthbert Andrews read a delightful paper to the Society of Radiographers in January 1934 (Andrews BJR 1934; 7(76): 246-252). The section “The Little Old lady in Black” is a radiographic classic and has been reprinted many times. Do read this little piece and remember the final words of the little old lady in black “’ow kind they was to me when I was in the X-ray.” He considered the future on the radiographer in July 1932 (Andrews BJR 1932; 5(55): 570-580).
In his Presidential Address to the Society of Radiographers (Winch BJR 1930; 3(35): 488-492), CL Winch gives an interesting account of the development of that society and gives the Articles of Association. The address is followed by a paper by Ed C Jerman (Jerman BJR 1930; 3(35): 493-499). Ed Jerman's book on “Modern X-Ray Technic” of 1928 was very influential in radiography.
Radiography made many advances in the 1930s. J Duncan White (White BJR 1930; 4(37): 22-29) spoke to the Society of Radiographers in November 1930 on training in radiography. Duncan White from the Hammersmith Hospital gave classes in practical radiography for the Diploma in Radiography. This is a good description of early UK radiography training.
“Positioning in Radiography”
In the 1930s there was a gradual standardisation of radiographic projections which was to culminate in the publication of “Positioning in Radiography” (1st Edition) by K C Clark FSR in January 1939 (London: Messrs. Ilford: W. Heinemann). The book was reviewed in the BJR in April 1939 (BJR 1939; 12(136): 252).
Papers giving optimal views appeared and a good example is a well illustrated account of the radiography of the para-nasal sinuses by H Graham Hodgson from London (Hodgson BJR 1934; 4(45): 421-431). A detailed account of the views needed for plain radiography of the skull by Dorothy Marsh in August 1933 (Marsh BJR 1933; 6(68): 487-503).
Image source: Marsh BJR 1933; 6(68): 487-503
