X-ray photograph [arthritic bones in a woman's hand] / by Prof. Arthur Schuster c.1896 at Manchester University

The hand of a woman who has arthritis is shown in this X-ray photograph. This condition damages the joints. The X-ray was taken in 1896 by German physicist Sir Arthur Schuster (1851-1934). Hands were a popular subject of early X-rays. The first X-ray image was taken in 1895 by German physician Wilhelm Röntgen (1845-1923). It was of his wife’s left hand.

X-rays quickly proved useful as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. X-rays were used by battlefield physicians to locate bullets in wounded soldiers within six months of Röntgen’s announcement. X-rays allowed physicians their first look inside the body without surgery.