Abstract
A generalisation of the Kramers-Heisenberg formula is used to demonstrate the evolution of inelastic X-ray scattering into fluorescence across the K absorption edge. As an illustration the results of a recent synchrotron radiation study of the inelastic scattering in the vicinity of the Mn K absorption edge in KMnO4 by Briand et al. (1981) are analysed and found to be in qualitative agreement with the theory.