My Philosophy of Radiotherapy—Presidential Address

Abstract

In the Shorter Oxford Dictionary (“the best of its size that has ever appeared”; weight 8¼ lb., price £6 6s.—1944 edition, with corrections and revised addenda in 1956) “radiotherapy” is not defined. “Radiology” is defined as “theory of radioactivity, the method of curing disease, etc., by means of röntgen rays. Radiologist—one who operates a röntgen-ray apparatus”. The compilers of the dictionary might be said to be behind the times in having no definition for radiotherapy, and in apparently never having heard of radiodiagnosis. They seem to be on surer ground with “philosophy”, providing nine definitions—the most suitable of which for my purposes are numbers seven and nine. The former is “the study of the general principles of some particular branch of knowledge, experience or activity”, while the latter is in two parts “(a) the system which a person forms for the conduct of life” and “(b) the mental attitude or habit of a philosopher—serenity, resignation; calmness of temper”. The last is an essential attribute of a radiotherapist. The way in which he applies himself to the study of the knowledge, experience and activity of his subject may depend very much on the system which he forms for the conduct of life.