I. Read the story and translate it.

X-rays

At about the same time that surgeons were beating the germ menace in hospitals another important discovery was being made. It concerned a special, sealed glass tube 'from which the air had been withdrawn and through which an electric current was passed. Cathode rays were generated which caused the tube to glow. Experimenting with this equipment, a German professor named Roentgen found that it produced an invisible ray that would pass through quite thick substances. On placing his hand in front of the apparatus he saw that the rays passed through the flesh but cast a shadow of the bones on to a screen. Because he did not know what the rays were he called them X-rays. The significance of these rays in helping to diagnose internal complaints was quickly realized.

Today, X-rays are also used to cure deep-seated diseases such as cancer, but these are not produced in the same way as the rays which show up parts of the body. It is thanks to the devoted, and often dangerous, work of Madame Marie and Professor Pierre Curie in discovering radium and its “radioactive” properties that our doctors and surgeons have this added weapon with which to combat malignant disease.

II. Retell it contents in English.

III. Answer the following questions.

1. What important discovery was made by Roentgen?

2. How are x-rays also used today?

3. What was quickly realized?

4. Why did he call them X-rays?

5. How did the x-rays help medicine and humans?

6. Why do we thankful to Madame Marie and Professor Pierre Curie?

7. What did they discover?

8. Who has added weapon to combat disease?

9. Who discovered radium and its “radioactive” properties?

10. What cast a shadow of the bones on to a screen?

IV. Complete the following sentences.

1. It concerned a special, sealed glass…

2. On placing his hand in front of the apparatus he saw…

3. At about the same time that surgeons were beating…

4. Because he didn’t know what the ray were.

5. The significance of these rays in helping…

6. X-rays are used to cure…

7. It is thanks to the devoted …

8. Doctors and surgeons have this added weapon…

9. Experimenting with this equipment…

10. Cathode rays were generated…

V. a) Make up your own sentences with the following words and word-combinations;

B) Explain in English the meanings of the following words and word-combinations;

Glass tube, electric current, cathode rays, invisible, shadow, diagnose, malignant disease, weapon, dangerous, invisible rays, sealed glass tube.

VI. Make up disjunctive questions

1. He saw that the rays passed through the flesh.

2. X-rays are also used to cure deep-seated diseases.

3. Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radium.

4. Our doctors and surgeons have weapon to combat malignant disease.

5. X-rays could pass trough quite thick substances.

VII. Make up alternative questions

1. His work was quite dangerous.

2. The significance of these rays was quickly realized.

3. The surgeons were beating the germ menace in hospitals.

4. His apparatus produces an invisible ray.

5. He was experimenting with special equipment.

UNIT XVI

I. Read the story and translate it

Into the 20th century

It can be said that in the 19th century more progress was made in the treatment of disease than in the preceding two thousand years. Indeed, the previous pages of this book show how many important discoveries were made.

However, at the beginning of the present century the family doctor was still working very much on his own, diagnosing ailments and treating them mainly from the contents of his 'little black bag^,. As time went on he became a member of a team. He was able to draw on the knowledge of people who specialized in various diseases, chemists, research workers and laboratory technicians.

The problem of payment still remained. Medical services cost money and those who needed them most were often the very ones who could least afford them. At first various insurance systems were introduced to help meet the cost, and then in 1948 the National Health Service was launched, bringing medical and surgical treatment within the range of everyone in Britain. Some countries have a similar service while in others people still receive medical attention on a fee-paying and insurance basis.

While most of the old killer diseases have been brought under control, this century has produced its own occupational ailments. Cancer in its various forms has yet to be mastered.