. Electro-therapeutics and X-rays . requently obtained. By means of the x-ray the initial tuberculous lesions(tubercular foci) may be revealed long before they would pre-sent objective and subjective symptoms of sufficient degreeto warrant a positive diagnosis. By means of a radiograph or of a fluoroscope a much bet-ter idea of the relations of the bones which compose thejoints can be obtained than could be from prepared , old and new, of the extremities can never beoverlooked if a fluoroscopic examination is made. Theslightest variation from the normal is immediately vis
. Electro-therapeutics and X-rays . requently obtained. By means of the x-ray the initial tuberculous lesions(tubercular foci) may be revealed long before they would pre-sent objective and subjective symptoms of sufficient degreeto warrant a positive diagnosis. By means of a radiograph or of a fluoroscope a much bet-ter idea of the relations of the bones which compose thejoints can be obtained than could be from prepared , old and new, of the extremities can never beoverlooked if a fluoroscopic examination is made. Theslightest variation from the normal is immediately visible inan extremity. In examining the joints, one thing which will arrest the at-tention is the great distance that apparently intervenes be-tween the bones. This is due to the fact that the articularcartilages, being easily traversed by the rays, do not cast ashadow. The character of injuries about the articulations,many of which, particularly near the elbow, if not seenbefore the swelling has taken place, are not recognizable by-. Plate IV.—Showing a broken needle, the point being to theright of the metacarpal, the shaft of the needle lying to the left of thebone. Notice especially the distinctness of the eye of the needle. APPLICATION OF X-RAY TO SURGICAL DIAGNOSIS. 291 palpation, even under sether, are very clearly diagnosed bymeans of the x-rays. It is easy, with this aid, to diagnose between an enlarge-ment of the bones and a swelling of the soft parts in chronicdiseases of the joints ; also to determine if ankylosis is bonyor fibrous. It is often important to decide whether the fixedposture of a stiff joint which has been injured by fracture ordisease is due to a growth of bone or growth of soft tissue,both of which may equally obstruct its movements, whileone is far more difficult to relieve than the other. The bonybands or adhesions are opaque to x-rays while the fibrousbands are transparent. In many instances, by means of the x-rays, fractures that liewholly within
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