ALEXANDER, Vojtech
* 30. 5. 1857, Kežmarok, Slovakia
† 15. 1. 1916, Budapest, Hungary
Radiologist
Upon completion of grammar school in Kežmarok, A. by 1882 studied medicine in Budapest. After a short period, which he spent as an assistant at the Institute for anatomy and anatomical physiology, he returned to Kežmarok at the request of his parents, where he focused on the practice of medicine. This occupation proved to be a good basis for his later scientific research work. He became secretary of Medical pharmacists association and the editor of its annual newsletter. He considered discovery of X-rays a milestone in the field of medicine, so he in 1896 personally visited Wilhelm C. Röntgen. In the same year Medical pharmacists association bought an x-ray apparatus and gave it to A. The device is now displayed in the City Museum of Kežmarok. The first recording with this device dates back to 1892.
After initially dealing with improvements in X-ray of bones, A. was later devoted to diagnosing pulmonary diseases, focusing especially on monitoring the development of human embryos. He is considered one of the first to have managed to take such recordings. Being unaware of the harmful effects of X-rays on biological tissues, he caused damage to the nervous system of his unborn son.
The method of spatial-resolution x-ray image, developed by A., was met with general interest throughout the world. The first recording with the new technique was done in 1906.
In addition to his practical work, A. was the author of numerous publications; he would frequently hold lectures and had a personal or written contact with many important researchers of his time. He was a member of the German radiology Society, which contributed to his appointment as head of Radiology laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Budapest. The Radiological Institute of the University of Budapest now bears his name and since 1964 a medal, given to the best radiologists.
