Overview of the History of Turkish Radiology in the Light of Archives Documents (1896-1933)

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the birth of radiology and, its development in the late Ottoman period and during the Republic's early years in Turkiye, and to share information obtained by examining official archive documents. Method: The study was designed as a document analysis in qualitative research. Publications about the subject were examined, Turkish State Archives were scanned, and documents were analyzed. Results: Turkiye has introduced X-rays in 1896, thanks to Esad Feyzi. In the 1897 Ottoman-Greek War, X-Rays were used to aid surgery. The first experiment with X-Ray treatment in Turkiye was made in 1899 by Cemil Pasha. In 1902, a radiotherapy unit was established in Istanbul. After the Republic X-Ray machines were purchased for newly established hospitals, and radiology laboratories were established in the country. Developments in the Ottoman period continued. Conclusion: It is noteworthy that radiology laboratories were established especially in military hospitals during the Ottoman period. The establishment of the Turkish Radiology Association in the early years of the Republic, the procurement of devices from abroad for both existing hospitals and newly established hospitals, and the employment of specialists in hospitals show us that the importance of radiology was understood. To be able to continue successfully Turkiye's radiology adventure beginning in 1896, it is very important to emphasize education as it is before and maybe more, to train qualified manpower, to employ them in the right places, to follow the developments in the world, and to have centers with modern equipment.