Radiology and the Radiologist

Abstract

When this title was presented to the Program Committee in the early part of this year, there was an honest purpose of contributing to the development of public and professional opinion upon the qualification of specialists in radiology. Another idea contributed to the increasing tendency of hospital executives to absorb the functions and perquisites of the radiologist and to make technical x-ray procedures paramount. It seems that we no sooner succeeded in squelching commercial x-ray laboratories than another more highly organized group of modern business executives began placing obstacles in the pathway of radiologic progress. Surely radiology has had a stormy career but it requires far better pilots to guide ships through stormy weather than over calm seas. Evidently we have had some wise pilots in our midst and they have endowed the rest of us with some professional courage. Certain events of prime importance to radiology occurred this spring and summer. One was an informal demand by certain leaders in oncology upon the officers of American radiologic societies for a more satisfactory qualification of radiologists. Another was the action of the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association in the resolution to the Council on Medical Education upon the qualification of specialists, not only in radiology but in those specialties which do not as yet enjoy such autonomous institutions. Ophthalmology, Oto-rhino-laryngology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology now enjoy reliable Boards that have not as yet indulged in the American trait of bigger and better elephants. These two events have even been woven into the fabric of radiology during the days of this Congress of Radiology. Realizing that this was about to happen, I attempted to withdraw my title but the Chairman of the Program Committee insisted that I proceed. Undoubtedly, his idea was to provide this interlude between scientific papers with Pariseau's ascent into the realms of literary heroes and my descent to practical modes and manners. There are so many trends in radiologic practice that it is increasingly difficult to pick out particular points. The luck and charm of early roentgen effort, the rule of thumb, and almost the art of procedures have given way to the mechanical and electrical efficiency of modern roentgen apparatus. Likewise the efficiency methods and the research proclivities of the modern medical student have been applied to radiology, especially in the post-war period, much to its advantage. The pecuniary rewards of early radiologists have been jealously regarded by many who may have other ideals than those of Osler as a basis of their medical activities. The glory of the pioneer radiologist has been invaded by the astuteness and the chiseling of a more modern and observing medical mentality.