This book is by one of my favorite activists. Bookchin discusses
x-ray epilation in these excerpts from Chapter 6, Radiation and
Human Health. I believe there are cetain analogies to the use
of lasers and microwaves by unqualified personnel in an unregulated
environment.
"To make matters worse, X-ray equipment was rapidly debased
into a cosmetic agent and, finally, into a sales promotion device.
It was found that X rays could cause a loss of hair (epilation),
an effect that suggested lucrative possibilities. By the 1920's many physicians, beauticians,
and self-appointed "epilation specialists" had begun
to treat women with radiation for the removal of "superfluous
hair." One New York physician, Dr. Albert C.
Geyser, developed a "harmless" method of hair removal
that involved cumulative dosages of at least 500 roentgens over
a twelve-week period of radiation treatment. The method, named
the "Tricho System," was very successful, and beauticians
trained by Geyser's "Tricho Institute" began operating
in many parts of the United States and Canada. It soon became
evident, however, that women treated according to the "Tricho
System" lost substantially more than unwanted hair. Many
individuals acquired radiodermatitis (skin inflammation), severe
radiation burns, festering skin ulcers, and, in time, cancer.
The "Tricho" story is one of the more tragic episodes
in the history of radiation. It is believed that the victims
of Geyser's system numbered in the thousands; the exact number
of those who suffered latent injury and premature death will
never be known."
"Society has found it very
difficult to accept the fact that a valuable device can become
extremely dangerous if it is used improperly. Schubert
and Lapp observe that a major reason why Geyser was not stopped
until his "system" had injured a large number of women
is that the medical community generally accepted radiation as
a form of treatment for minor skin disorders. To this day, many
physicians are likely to underestimate the amount of latent
damage caused by repeated exposure to X radiation. In some cases,
physicians are inclined to use X-ray equipment as freely as
they use the stethoscope, and often it is the cost of an X-ray
picture rather than the 'risk of irradiation that keeps the
two devices from occupying places of equal importance in routine
medical examinations. The physician often feels that there is
no danger involved in taking diagnostic X rays; the word "diagnostic"
seems to impart benign qualities to radiation. But the need
for an X ray does not in any way diminish the effect of exposure;
it merely provides a scale on which the hazards of X radiation
should be weighed against the hazards of an incomplete and faulty
diagnosis."
"The use of X-ray equipment should be carefully regulated.
These devices do not belong in the hands of quacks and shoe
salesmen. Technicians should be licensed personnel who have
given substantial evidence of their qualifications to operate
X-ray equipment. Their work requires careful training that cannot
be picked up through irregular, offhand instruction. There should
be compulvery periodic inspections of X-ray equipment by competent
agencies. Concerted efforts must be made to bring the latest
advances in radiology into physicians' offices and hospitals."
hair removal
facts
for consumers
Home
