Robert Spencer Stone

Abstract

HomeRadiologyVol. 40, No. 1 PreviousNext EditorialRobert Spencer StonePublished Online:Jan 1 1943https://doi.org/10.1148/40.1.81MoreSectionsPDF ToolsImage ViewerAdd to favoritesCiteTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked In AbstractIn line of routine duty eight Canadian “Mounties” recently made the first west-to-east voyage through the Northwest Passage. They made it in a small 80-ton auxiliary schooner, and took two years and three months for the trip. When they landed on the Atlantic Coast not many weeks ago they neither expected, asked for, nor got leave. Sergeant Henry Larson, their leader, brushed aside compliments on the magnificent feat with the comment that other trips had been harder. We presume that Sergeant Larson was a Canadian; we know that our new President is one, and we like to think that he is made of the same kind of metal as the eight quiet heroes who casually completed such a difficult assignment.Robert Spencer Stone was born in Chatham, Ontario, in 1895. He entered the University of Toronto in 1913, receiving his B.A. four years later in biology and physics. “Torontonensis” informs us that in the physics class of '17 he captured the hearts of all with his cheery smile and curly hair. We are happy to report that both pieces of equipment are still in good repair and daily use. Shortly after his graduation he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and fought overseas in France. A bullet from the ubiquitous Boche brought him back to Canada in the year 1919.From 1919 to 1921 he was on the Peking Medical School staff in China, as a teacher in anatomy. In 1922 he received his M.A. and in 1924 was graduated in medicine from Toronto. He served his internship in Grace Hospital, Detroit, and for two years practised radiology in that city with his uncle, Dr. Rollin H. Stevens. In 1926 he went to San Francisco and commenced his distinguished career at the University of California Medical School as instructor in radiology under the late Howard Ruggles.In 1934 Doctor Stone travelled across the United States with a few other intrepid radiologists, busily memorizing the definition of the roentgen and the depth dosage from a half-strength radium plaque when worn over an Eton collar. Partly as a result of this intensive refresher course on the train, he succeeded in passing the examination of the American Board of Radiology in the same year.Doctor Stone's career as a clinical radiologist has been marked by fundamental and invaluable research into the comparative therapeutic effects of 200 and 1,000-kv. x-rays, of neutrons, and of various artificial radioactive materials. He has also contributed many memorable articles to the literature on diagnostic problems, notably some relating to difficult types of gastric and osseous lesions. His work has been marked by a thoroughness and candor rarely excelled. He has been more than cautious in evaluating new weapons and new technics in radiation therapy, knowing that the profession is all too prone to extol something new before it has been subjected to proper investigation.Article HistoryPublished in print: Jan 1943 FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRecommended Articles RSNA Education Exhibits RSNA Case Collection Vol. 40, No. 1 Metrics Altmetric Score PDF download