The author's original object was to photograph all shallow cavities of the body, but for the convenience sake, the oral cavity was chosen for the present study.
The routine method now in general use is to approximate a camera close to the mouth. But both the camera and light source are kept outside the mouth, and a mirror is used to reflect the hidden part of the tooth. It is impossible by this method to photograph the part which can not be seen by the naked eye, and the picture taken by this method has not so much practical value unless it is unexceptionally clear.
To remove defects which are found in all the hitherto used methods, the author devised a miniature finger-shaped camera which is very convenient for oral photography. It is 24 cm long, 13 cm and 8.8 cm in inner and outer diameters, respectively. The light source consists of the two tiny electric bulbs of A. C. 100 V and 37 V, respectively (one is supplementary). The film is 6 mm wide and 150 mm long. This eamera can directly be placed into the mouth, and pictures taken with this are highly satisfactory.
The function of this camera has its limitation due to the miniature shape, but all the possible improvements seem to have been made within this limitation.
Also the author devised another type with different construction and function. This is composed of a 35 mm Leika-type camera which is kept outside the mouth, and an endoscope-like attachment provided with a prism and flash lamp which is placed into the mouth to take the inner view. The attachment is adjusted to the site to be photographed directly by the eye_ Thanks to the completion of this method, all the teeth, various states of oral mucous membrane can be observed exactly through the photograph. Also any body cavity in which the attachment can be inserted can be photographed. Further, it is easy to take color photograph.
Consequently it has become possible to make diagnosis, to trace the course of illness and to know the effect of therapy more exactly than before.
Pictures taken with this camera can provide objective data for study and useful materials for education.
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