The Early Days of Radiation: Homeopathic Shadows

Abstract

The discovery of x-rays and radium quickly led to their widespread use in medicine. X-rays were used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and radium was applied to certain diseases like cancer. Homeopaths were in the forefront of using these new techniques. The Chicago physician, Emil Grubbé, is generally acknowledged as the first American doctor to use x-rays therapeutically and with establishing the first teaching department of radiation at a US medical school; he also pioneered continuing medical education on radiation physics and therapy. Grubbé was an early casualty of radiation-induced cancer, from which he eventually died. Frank Benson, a doctor from Philadelphia, is believed to have been the first to establish a general hospital radiation department and to have delivered a complete course for medical students in using radiation. William Dieffenbach of New York Homeopathic College created New York’s first public x-ray clinic and pioneered the use of radium, ultraviolet light, and hydrotherapy. He was chosen as one of the two official US representatives to attend the 1st International Congress in Radiology and Ionization in Belgium in 1905. John Mallory Lee earned fame as a radiologist and for his collaboration with the world-famous physicist, Dr. Gioacchino Failla.