The Joint Meeting

Abstract

When it became necessary to cancel the 1943 meetings of the Radiological Society of North America and the American Roentgen Ray Society, the disappointment of the members was great. As the months passed, the realization grew that progress in radiology had been retarded by the cancellation of these customary gatherings. Therefore, after due consideration of the request of the Government that meetings having no bearing on the conduct of the war be postponed for the duration, the officers of the two societies decided, in view of the importance of radiology to the successful prosecution of our military activities, to hold a joint meeting in Chicago from Sept. 24 to Sept. 29, 1944. For this meeting, 1,382 members and guests turned out. All the states in the union were represented but one. There were 50 in attendance from Canada, and members and guests were registered from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Chile. This splendid record is the best evidence that radiologists recognize the value of scientific meetings and unquestionably justifies the little extra strain that was placed upon transportation and hotel facilities. Those who came were in no way disappointed. Every department of the meeting was outstanding. Eighty-three excellent papers were read: 51 on diagnostic subjects, 30 on therapeutic topics, and 2 on general non-scientific problems related to radiology. There were 42 scientific exhibits of a quality not one whit diminished by the handicaps of the extra pressure under which we are all working. The refresher courses, of which 28 were given, were magnificently prepared and presented. The popularity of these courses is justifiably on the increase. The 30 commercial exhibits showed the adherence to high standards that our manufacturers have in the past led us to expect. At the opening session on Monday a warm welcome was given from the Chicago Medical Society by Josiah J. Moore, M.D., its President, and from the American Medical Association by its President, Herman L. Kretschmer, M.D. Doctor Kretschmer followed his remarks with a paper written in collaboration with Fay H. Squire, M.D., entitled “A Study of the Ureters in Bladder Neck Obstructions.” This was followed by an address by Colonel B. R. Kirklin, representing Major-General Norman T. Kirk, Surgeon General of the U. S. Army, on “War Time Radiology and Peace Time Problems.” The session was closed with a paper on “Pantopaque Myelography; Correlation of Roentgenological and Neurosurgical Findings,” by Lt. Comdr. R. K. Arbuckle (representing Vice-Admiral Ross T. McIntire, Surgeon General of the U. S. Navy), Lt. C. H. Shelden, and Lt. R. H. Pudenz. In the Diagnostic Section, Monday afternoon, six papers were presented: “Progressive Symmetrical Bullous Emphysema,” George Teplick, M.D., and Allison Price, M.D.; “Non-Disabling Bronchiectasis,” Major Archie Fine; “Roentgenograms of the Chest in Mental Deficiency,” J. T. Danzer, M.D.