Safety X-ray

1920

The earliest X-Ray machines had exposed high-tension wires connecting the tube to the unit’s power source and transformer, a configuration which placed these uninsulated wires into close proximity to both patient and operator. Dr. Thwaites’ solution to this problem was to house the components within a cylindrical mahogany cabinet. The x-rays were generated by a Coolidge tube fixed inside of the cabinet, and emitting radiation through an aperture. 

Despite his success at mitigating one of the tangible dangers of dental radiology, Dr. Thwaites failed to recognize the more insidious danger of x-ray overexposure.  He believed long exposures to x-rays might be an appropriate therapy for many diseases.  His death was directly attributable to his overexposure to x-rays and in 1945 he died of cancer.