The first 50 years of military radiology 1895-1945.

Following the discovery of X-rays in 1895 by Wilhelm Röntgen the value to the military surgeon of the new technique was soon realised. The localisation of retained bullets by radiography avoided inappropriate exploration of the wound. The X-rays were first used on casualties from the Abyssinian War of 1896 and the developing radiological technology was progressively applied to military surgery. In addition the needs of warfare stimulated the development of all aspects of radiology.