Cancer Treatment X-ray Tube (ca. 1910 - 1920) |
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This particular tube belonged to M. J. Gross who had worked with Dr. Coolidge at General Electric in Schenectady N.Y. Gross later became Vice President of the GE X-ray Company. During the 1930s and 1940s, Gross and Zed Attlee formed the core of Coolidge's research and design team. While it has no identifying marks, this is clearly a cancer treatment tube. Because this type of tube lacks a target, the electrons discharged from the concave aluminum cathode are directed into the extension (pointing down and to the right in the photo) where they generate x-rays as they strike the glass walls. As might be expected, the x-rays were primarily used to treat rectal and vaginal cancers. This type of tube was usually made of lead glass except for the extension which would be made from soda glass. Because of the differences in the glass, the main body of the tube exhibited a blue fluorescence during use while the extension (if it could be seen) fluoresced an apple-green color. Weak currents were employed to prevent the glass from overheating. Quoting the description in a Scheidel-Western X-Ray Coil Company catalog: "This tube is especially adapted for treatment of the vagina, rectum and throat." "In this tube we have the cathode rays which are thrown along the focus tube, where the X-rays are generated, passing in all directions, both at right angle and parallel to the focus tube." "The cathode rays are extremely hot, heating the focus part of the tube, and it is necessary to use the water jacket accompanying the tube at all times. The tube is ideal for treating a large or small diseased surface in the vagina or rectum and the X-rays are as high as in a medium vacuum in the regular X-ray tube." "The time of exposure is reduced and it is unnecessary to shield the patient. The tube is provided with a handle. The water jacket is held in position by a rubber joint." An E. B. Meyrowitz catalog (no date) refers to this as a "Caldwell Localizing X-Ray tube." Size: approximately 20" long with 3" bulb diameter References: S. Tousey. Medical Electricity and Rontgen Rays. W. B. Saunders Co.1921. Kindly donated by Malvern J. Gross Jr. in memory of his father |
