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My
article this week is about one specific aspect of my
profession that has changed drastically during my 32
years of practicing veterinary medicine — X-rays.
I used
the old terminology because that was precisely what we
called it in 1977. I originally used an X-ray machine
purchased from the local hospital that had been used for
"humans." Now veterinary medicine has come a
long way since that first X-ray machine of mine, but at
the time that machine was a welcomed addition for my
practice.
The first
X-ray developer was a hand-dipped vat with three
departments. The first section had developing solution
while the second section was the neutralizer that would
wash away any of the developer and prepare the film to
be hand-dipped into the third section which was
"the fixer." The fixer enabled the film to
remain in a stable environment that allowed for viewing,
diagnosing, and storage.
It is
interesting to note that the duration of time in each
department depended on the strength of your X-ray
solutions. As the solutions aged, they became weak. I
have stayed in a dark closet developing many an X-ray
from one to 10 minutes depending on the strength of the
developing solution.
About 10
years later the automatic processor was available for
X-rays. Excuse me, we were told to say radiographs in
1987.
Technology
does bring with it a new nomenclature. After all when
the expense goes up a new name must come on the scene to
describe it.
With the
advantage of the automatic processor, veterinary
medicine allowed the client to be informed of his or her
pets problem during the initial exam. I found it much
more comforting to tell a concerned client that their
pet had a specific fracture and be able to show the
radiograph immediately while discussing treatment.
Now
veterinary medicine has reached another plateau of
radiographs.
Excuse
me, I'm supposed to be saying digital imaging. You
guessed it, more technology, but what a technology it
is.
Our local
hospital in
Ocean Springs, Miss.
, can now store all patients' radiographs electronically
in their file on our computer rather than use large
storage files that take up so much space. Our local
veterinary emergency clinic uses the same digital
imaging and can even burn a disc and send the radiograph
to the local veterinary hospital for further treatment.
Some of
the marvelous advantages of digital imaging include
being able to magnify a suspicious area for a closer
look, storage of the radiograph as I said before, and
use of a collection plate rather than film for
collecting the image.
All of
veterinary medicine has improved since 1977. I am so
proud of the way all my colleagues use current
technology that enables all of us to give such quality
care to our furry friends. Now if I can only learn how
to use my digital camera and be able to text someone on
my phone.
Who says
you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
———
(Dr.
Don Palermo
, a veterinarian at
Bienville Animal Medical Center
in
Ocean Springs
, encourages questions for this column. Write to
South Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association
,
20005 Pineville Road
,
Long Beach MS
39560 and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.)
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