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

Area of Science:

• Medical History
• Radiology
• Scientific Discovery

Background:

• Wilhelm Röntgen's discovery of X-rays in 1896 quickly gained international attention.
• The introduction of X-ray technology to Puerto Rico was previously believed to be much later, around 1911.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pinpoint the exact time, location, and individuals involved in the first public X-ray demonstration in Puerto Rico.
• To identify other X-ray users in Puerto Rico before 1911.
• To contextualize these early events and individuals within their social, professional, and international settings.

Main Methods:

• Utilized digitized Puerto Rican newspapers for information retrieval.
• Consulted secondary printed and digital sources for comprehensive data.

Main Results:

• The first X-ray demonstration in Puerto Rico was held in June 1897, organized by physician José Esteban Saldaña.
• Key participants included Francisco Pelati, physicians José C. Barbosa, Francisco and Pedro Del Valle, Juan and Ricardo Hernández, and engineer José A. Canals.
• Other X-ray users in Puerto Rico before 1911 were identified.

Conclusions:

• Puerto Rico's reaction to X-rays mirrored international responses, encompassing wonder, experimentation, and awareness of potential risks.
• X-ray equipment arrived in Puerto Rico approximately a year and a half after the initial news of the discovery.
• Early adopters were linked by political affiliation and diverse experiences, with X-ray use gradually expanding across the island by 1911.