T H E W RO N G H A N D

It comes to no surprise to see yet another copy of the well-known vintage image of one of the first human X-rays ever taken, especially every time that another anniversary of Rntgens discovery is approaching. It does call my attention to see how often the image of the wrong hand is used to celebrate this amazing breakthrough in science, the actual capability of seeing the invisible.

http://www.internationaldayofradiology.com Last years commendable initiative to celebrate the International Day of Radiology is only one example of this redundant mistake, where, once again, the X-rays of the right hand of Sir Rudolf Albert von Klliker were displayed as if they were the actual first human hand X-Ray photograph, that of the right hand of Anna Bertha Rntgen ne Ludwig. I pointed out this fact via social networking to the promoters of the International Day of Radiology (IdoR) (https://www.facebook.com/internationaldayofradiology ). A recent ad on the ARRS Newsletter (In Practice, Fall 2013) about The Roentgen Fund uses this same mistaken image in a nicely designed umbrella, incorrectly labeled as the famous Hand of Mrs. Roentgen image from 1895. Several radiological associations around the world are also to blame for the dissemination of this error. I believe that it is time for the younger generations of radiologists, and for those interested in the stories that opened the path to this fascinating specialty, to be able to get their story right, in order for our heirs to continue to celebrate the beginning of radiology in a proper manner.
Colombian Association of Radiology Newsletter (2011) congratulating its members for yet another anniversary of Rntgens discovery, including von Kllikers hand - with a twist.

According to the customary use at the turn of the 19th century in Germany, wedding rings were used in the right hand (1). Upon reviewing the video that showed how the beautiful left hand MRI chosen to celebrate the first IdoR was obtained, I also commented on this at the IdoR page, because I believe it is safe to assume that Anna Berthas X-Rays, labeled Hand mit Ringen (hand with rings) by professor Rntgen himself, corresponds to her right hand. IdOR commented that the label was not Hand mit Ehering (hand with wedding ring), but It was also common for engagement rings to be worn on the left hand, only until marriage, when they would be switched to the right hand, together with the wedding ring. This early photograph has been reprinted in several articles on the history of the discovery of the X-rays and is the image that should be divulged in order to be true to our history.

In his comprehensive book on the history of radiology, Eisenberg (2) describes that it was not until February, 1896, when professor Rntgen first presented his discovery to the members of the Wrzburg Physical Medical Society. On that occasion, as was depicted in Robert Alan Thoms portrait, the most commonly -but incorrectly- used X-ray image of another hand was produced: that of the right hand of the anatomist Professor Rudolf Albert von Klliker, also commonly displayed as a left hand. Indeed, it is a higher resolution image of a complete hand, probably more attractive for advertising purposes than the fuzzy partial shadow that immortalized Anna Bertha, but that should not warrant the multiplication of this mistake. I am convinced that it is the responsibility of local and international radiological societies, to promote the knowledge of these images, with their correct labeling. Anibal J Morillo, MD Radiologist Department of Diagnostic Imaging University Hospital of the Fundacin Santa Fe de Bogot Bogot, Colombia References 1. http://liturgy.co.nz/wedding-rings/13926 reviewed on october 16th, 2013. 2. Eisenberg RL: Radiology: An Illustrated History. Mosby Year Book, 1995