New 'U' X-Ray Machine Set For Nile Project

Armed with shotguns for protection against starving, man-killing dogs and a newly developed radioactive isotope X-ray machine, two University of Michigan Dental School professors hope to set off for Egypt about mid-month in a race against the rising Nile.

Dr. James E. Harris, assistant professor of orthodontics, and Dr. Joseph Hartsook, professor of dentistry at the U-M, hope to X-ray human skulls and cadavers before Nile River waters being backed up the Aswan High Dam cover ancient Nubian burial grounds.

They will be joined by Duane Burnor, a physical anthropologist from the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Samir Loutfy, an orthodontist and U-M graduate now at the University of Alexandria in Egypt.

At a press conference for science writers yesterday at the U-M Dental School, Burnor, who recently returned from Egypt, explained the unusual request for shotguns and ammunition for dentists doing research work.

The Pennsylvania anthropologist told reporters that when the present-day Nubians were moved out of the area to be flooded, the Egyptian government permitted them to take everything but their dogs. As a result the dogs have gone wild, and with little left for them to eat, packs of the dogs sometimes attack and kill people returning to the abandoned villages.

But more interesting from a scientific point of view is the newly developed X-ray machine which only weighs 20 pounds, and needs no electric or other outside power source to operate.

The Atomic Age has come to the fields of radiology (X-ray science) and dentistry in the new equipment which uses the atomic reactor-produced radioactive isotope, ytterbium-169, as a power source.

Built by VISO Corp. of Detroit, with Prof. Albert G. Richards, radiologist, and Dr. Robert E. Moyers, professor of dentistry, both of the U-M, providing initial contact with the firm and assistance, the machine uses gamma radiation to produce pictures and is a "safe" system, Dr. Harris said.

Polaroid Corp. scientists working with the U-M researchers developed and provided the equipment and materials for developing the X-ray film without the washes and elaborate procedures usually needed.

Dr. Harris, project director, told reporters that the cephalometric apparatus will be able to take X-rays of both cadavers and living persons. He said the U-M researchers will be collecting data through X-rays and measurements of the facial bones and teeth of living Nubians and their ancient ancestors buried up to 4,000 years ago.

The X-rays from the living and the dead is expected to furnish detailed new knowledge of the variability of the human cranio-facial skeleton, and broaden professional knowledge of the dental components of the head. Examination of wear of the teeth, also will provide anthropological data on what kind of diets the Nubians had in ancient times.

Dr. Hartsook will be investigating the problems of facial growth and development. Electronic computers will be used to analyze the data.

Dr. Harris plans to establish his field station at Gebal Abba near the Egyptian Sudan border. Financial support for the expedition has been received from the National Institutes of Health, and the U-M's Office of Research Administration (ORA), and Rackham Research Fund, in addition to the two corporations already mentioned.