prologue Just after the moment of discovery of X rays the importance of X rays in medical diagnosis was immediately apparent, and within months of its discovery, the bactericidal action of X rays and their ability to destroy tumors were revealedJust after the moment of discovery of X rays, the importance of X rays in medical diagnosis was immediately apparent , and within months of its discovery, the bactericidal action of X rays and their ability to destroy tumors were revealed. prologue