TY - JOUR
AU1 - Essenberg, J. M.
AB - A Simple Device for X-raying Eggs of the Domestic Fowl J. M. Essenberg Chicago, Ill. Excerpt In x-ray work with bird eggs some sort of a device must be made in order to facilitate irradiation and eliminate experimental errors. Such construction must include a heating element for keeping eggs at incubator temperature while being irradiated; it must include a candler for orientation of eggs for general as well as local irradiation, and it must be lead-insulated in order to absorb scattered rays. Further, it must be of simple construction and permit ease in handling. Such apparatus has been constructed and used in our laboratories for the last five years with considerable advantage. Construction An ordinary wooden box of commercial design forms the framework of the device (Fig. 1). It is of medium weight, and measures approximately 7.5 in. in width, 7.5 in. in height, and 15 in. in length. The top is covered with a sheet of lead 1/16 of an inch in thickness. At one end of the box is attached a cup-like structure while at the other is secured a wooden cross-bar. The cup is made of a lead strip, 13 in. long and 1¾ in. wide, the ends of which are soldered together, shaped into an oval measuring approximately 3¾ in. and 4½ in. in minor and major diameters. It is, in turn, soldered to the lead sheet covering the top of the box, and placed 5 in. from the end of the box to the center of the cup with equal distances from side to side. In the center of the cup, there is cut an egg-shaped opening, ⅞ by 1¼ in., through the lead and the board. The longer axis of the cup and that of the opening coincide. That part of the lead sheet immediately surrounding the opening is bent upwards 3/16 of an inch. The cross-bar is provided with a V-shaped groove, forming an angle of 90°. The square bar of the tube carriage fits into this groove. The height of the bar plus the height of the box is such that when the carriage bar rests in the V-shaped groove of the cross-bar, it automatically determines the focal distance. The distance of the cross-bar from the lead cup is such that it will bring the mouth of the cup directly under the target of the x-ray tube. The opening leading from the cup into the box is provided with a shutter, which is made of a lead sheet 1/16 in. in thickness and 3 in. square. This square sheet of lead slides after the fashion of a gate-valve, in troughs provided on either side of the opening. The troughs are 6 in. long with one end closed and the other set against the board at the end of the box. At one end of the shutter, in the middle, a metal handle 4 in. long is attached. This provision enables the operator to manipulate the shutter in such a way that the opening can be completely closed or opened, as the occasion may demand. Directly in line with the opening in the bottom of the cup, and immediately below the shutter, is placed an electric light bulb. A Keyle's receptacle is attached to the end of the box, 1½ in. below the top board. A 60-watt light bulb is used, as it is large enough to fit into the opening in the floor of the cup. A flexible cable extends through the board at the end of the box and is made long enough to facilitate connections. For convenience, two spools may be screwed on the side of the box on which the cord may be wound when not in use. Operation The light in the box is turned on a short time before radiation of the eggs. A thermometer is placed in the lead cup, and while the heating process continues, the box is placed on the x-ray machine and connected with the tube carriage. In from ten to fifteen minutes, depending upon the temperature of the room, incubation temperature is reached and radiation may proceed. During radiation the temperature is regulated by turning the light on or off, as the case may be. We have found this satisfactory, and in case greater ease is desired, a thermostat can be inserted for that purpose. The light, beside serving as a heater also serves as a candler. The egg is placed in the cup, the shutter removed, and as the light is turned on, abnormalities in incubation can be detected readily. After candling, the eggs (three in number) are placed on the ledge of the cup, then the opening is closed by the lead shutter, and the eggs are irradiated. Thus the entire cup is made of lead which absorbs scattered rays and prevents the formation of secondary rays. In case local irradiation is desired, a piece of lead sheet with an opening in it to suit the purpose in view is placed on top of the cup; the candler in the box is used and, while looking through the opening in the top lead sheet, the places desired for radiation can be located. By this method the entire embryo is shielded except the spot to be exposed to the x-ray. Copyrighted by The Radiological Society of North America, Inc.
TI - A Simple Device for X-raying Eggs of the Domestic Fowl
JF - Radiology
DO - 10.1148/27.4.490
DA - 1936-10-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/radiological-society-of-north-america-inc/a-simple-device-for-x-raying-eggs-of-the-domestic-fowl-9AJSZ0C7pR
SP - 490
VL - 27
IS - 4
DP - DeepDyve
ER -