Case for 35mm Mass Radiography camera by Watson and Sons (Electro-Medical) Ltd., London, 1943-1960

Mass miniature radiography was used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) from 1936 onwards. The camera is slightly less than 400 mm long and weighs 10.87 kg. The X-rays produced by this camera were just 100 mm high and so were viewed on a projector.

Tuberculosis was a difficult disease to diagnose as people who appeared ‘healthy’ still showed signs of the disease, such as lesions in the lungs – which could be revealed by X-ray – and so could spread TB. Mobile units were set up so more people could be diagnosed, more quickly. Today, X-ray departments are found in hospitals and images are taken of every part of the body instead of just the chest.