Ever since the discovery of the intriguing Roentgen ray, physicians and radiographers have thrown themselves into harm’s way for the benefit of patients and the field. Walter Dodd, M.D., was no less noble in his investments to his radiography career. As soon as Dodd heard about the discovery of the Roentgen ray, he committed himself to experimenting with the newfound science. In 1896, Dodd constructed an x-ray machine at the American Hospital. Not long after, he began suffering from the unprotected radiation exposure. Although no source describes the effects Dodd suffered, Arlene Alder and Richard Carlton, in “Introduction to Radiologic Sciences and Patient Care”, state that early effects of radiation exposure: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. …show more content…
After a while of being sought out continuously for his expertise in radiography, Dodd transferred to the University of Vermont. Even during his studies at UVM, he did not stop working with medicine. After graduating, Dodd joined the other roentgenologists at MGM, becoming official in the practice he had been captivated by for years. Dodd moved back to Boston, bringing along an associate, Lawrie Morrison. Together, they built their own unreliable X-ray equipment and continued their research. In 1896, Dodd suffered his first round of dermatitis on his hands and face. Dodd’s hands pained him to a point where he could not sleep, so he wrapped up his hands with gauze and salve and wandered the hospital pharmacy throughout his nights. When the inflammation calmed down after a while, he went back to work. However, it flared back up again. The dangers of radiation exposure had been speculated on since shortly after Wilhelm Roentgen’s discovery. In 1916, the public was forced to realize the true dangers of radiation exposure because of Dr. Emilio Tiraboschi’s autopsy, which showed that exposure had damaged is internal organs and shrunk his