The radiotherapy device

Put into service in 1932, the penetrating radiotherapy device was acquired by the Hospice Général as part of the ongoing development of the electro radiology service headed by Dr Augustin Delacouré-Delafontaine, hospital radiologist. Its cost was 120.000 francs (about 80.000 euros) to which would be added the cost of fitting out the premises. Financial aids were provided by the departmental association for the fight against cancer created in 1928.

This device operated at a constant voltage of 250.000 volt and intensity of 10 milliamps delivered by a generator which included: the transformers,4 kenotron valves, 4 static condensers and 2 control panels visible in the wire mesh screen.

A vertical control panel for the system treatment allowed the different settings of the irradiation dose to be delivered. It was placed outside the insulated treatment room by lead walls and access to which was via a leaded door;

The patient was lying on a specific table and the area to be exposed to radiation was located under the cone from which the x-ray beam came out

Low penetration of the rays into the tissues (of the order of 5 cm) has long limited the use of this device to the treatment of skin, breast and certain ENT tumors or to palliative and analgesic treatment; moreover, targeting was imprecise so we had to wait till the 1950’s to observe real progress.