Glass X-ray tube, fitted with regulator and a valve tube, 1895-1900
In 1895 a device similar to this one passed electricity through a vacuum to generate something revolutionary: X-rays. Medical researchers experimented using these radioactive rays on various skin conditions and types of tuberculosis, as well as cancer. They had varying degrees of success. X-ray treatment was expensive and sometimes left burns on a patient’s skin. It also posed risks to staff administering the treatment, who faced repeated exposure to the radiation.
On display
Science Museum: Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries
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Details
- Category:
- Radiomedicine
- Object Number:
- A196
- Materials:
- anode, aluminium, anticathode, copper, anticathode, nickel, cathode, aluminium, regulator, aluminium, tube, glass and valve, aluminium
- type:
- x-ray tube
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- tools & equipment
- x-ray machine
- credit:
- Holmes, F
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