The First Demonstration of X-rays in Puerto Rico: June 1897

Abstract

Objective: Röntgen’s discovery made international news in January 1896, but the appearance of x-rays in Puerto Rico has been dated to 1911. This investigation was undertaken to identify the time, place, participants, and equipment of the first public demonstration of x-rays in Puerto Rico, document other users before 1911, and frame the events and persons in their social, professional, and international contexts. Methods: Information was retrieved from digitized Puerto Rico newspapers available online and secondary printed and digital sources. Results: The first demonstration of x rays in Puerto Rico was organized by physician José Esteban Saldaña in June 1897 and included Francisco Pelati (who documented the event), an electrician; José C. Barbosa, Francisco and Pedro Del Valle, and Juan and Ricardo Hernández, physicians; and José A. Canals, an engineer. Other users prior to 1911 are documented. Conclusion: Internationally, the first reaction to the discovery of x-rays was a mixture of wonder, experimentation, fascination with a scientific novelty carrying other-worldly resonance, and recognition of potential dangers. Puerto Rico was not an exception. The news arrived in seven weeks, although the equipment (apparently from New York) arrived a year and a half later (June 1897). The readily apparent common denominator for this group of first users is political affiliation, but they were connected by a variety of experiences, despite differences in race, class, and religious ideas. As in other places, x-ray use increased slowly and was available in several cities in Puerto Rico by 1911.