A PHYSICAL TREATMENT FOR INFLUENCING BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract: Method of influencing biological activity which compris­ es generating electrically dependent oscillations, usually of audio frequency, in a liquid medium such as tap water in which living organisms are immersed or with which living organisms are otherwise contacted so as to influence their growth. Examples of the organisms are seeds and eggs. In addition is disclosed apparatus for influencing biolo­ gical activity comprising (a) an audio frequency electric signal generator (3), (b) two or more electrodes (1) electrically connected to the signal output of said generator and (c) means for maintaining an electrically conducting liquid medium in contact with said electrodes, for example a tank (2) in which the electrodes are immersed.

Description: DESCHIPTIGN "A PHYSICAL TREATMENT FOR INFLUENCING BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY" This invention relates to a method and apparatus for influencing biological activity. According to the present invention, a method of influencing biological activity comprises the generation of electrically dependent oscillations via a liquid medium with which living organisms are in contact so as to influence their physiology. Both plant and animal tissues may be subjected to the method. The method may be modified as indicated below. Certain terms used for convenience hereinafter will now be described, the word "Mehesz" in these terms referring to the inventor of this invention. The "Mehesz Apparatus", consists basically of two or more electrodes either connected to a treatment tank or to "conducting pads as defined below through which an effect is generated from the passing of alternating electric current, supplied via a signal generator, through an electrically conductant liquid medium contained in the tank, or in absorbent matter contained in the pads. The liquid medium which may be tap water serves as a coupling agent between the oscillations and the tissues. The "conducting pad" is usually a flexible metallic plate jacketed with fibrous material which absorbs water that in turn conducts electricity. The "Mehesz Effect", is an effect detectable by simple bio-assay, e.g. by holding the human hand in the medium in the tank and experiencing a tingling sensation via the nervous system when the oscillations are generated in the medium.. The "Mehesz Treatment", consists of subjecting any biological tissue to the Mehesz Effect. Controlled experiments can be used to demonstrate that certain tissues respond to exposure to the Mehesz Effect by demonstrating differences in their growth pattern compared with comparable tissues placed in the medium in the apparatus for a comparable time but without the Mehesz Effect being administered. The changes in growth pattern may be positive or negative, and whilst accelerated or enhanced growth is the usual aim of the experiment (e.g. to generate additional yield or to get the same yield in a shorter time) there are circumstances where a slowing down of growth is desirable (e.g. amenity grass to save mowing). Biological activity is controlled by flux of electrochemical energy within the cell so it is surmised that the Mehesz Treatment modifies metabolic (both anabolic and catabolic) processes. Observations have thus far only been made on multicellular organisms, and it has not yet been determined whether cells increase their individual size in addition to the assumed increased rate of cell division when growth is accelerated. Measurements of cell size and work with unicellular organisms and cell components will elucidate this point. The Mehesz Apparatus for influencing biological activity comprises; (a) a signal generator, usually of audio frequency, (b) two or more electrodes electrically connected to the signal output of said generator and (c) a means for maintaining an electrically conductant liquid medium (electrolyte) in contact with said electrodes. The means (c) may be either: (i) a tank or vessel (for holding the liquid medium) in which the electrodes are immersed or (ii) a material for absorbing the liquid medium and clothing the electrodes. The output of the signal generator may be of variable frequency, variable amplitude and variable wave form. The apparatus may also comprise (d) a signal amplifier between the signal generator and the electrodes for amplifying the signal to the electrodes, and optionally (e) a pulse generator between the signal generator and the amplifier for applying a pulsed signal to the electrodes. The apparatus may also conveniently include monitoring equipment to enable various parameters to be measured, for example means fr monitoring the wavelength and amplitude of the signal and the voltage and current passing between the electrodes. All the electronic units are solid state with crystal generated digital output where measurements are necessary. The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates an apparatus for supplying an amplified (and if desirable also pulsed) audio frequency signal to electrodes immersed in a tank, Fig. 2 illustrates a modification of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 illustrates a further modification of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Referring first to Fig. 1, a cylindrical tank 2 is of transparent acrylic plastic which is self-insulating. Two electrodes 1 are fitted vertically in the tank at 1800 to each other. They are made of metal of high electrical conductivity, and are bolted through the drilled tank and secured by external brass electrodes. The electrodes need not necessarily be of equal dimension or shape. For example one electrode could be a hollow cylinder fitted inside the tank with the second a much slimmer solid cylinder vertically positioned in the centre. A screw-ap lid (not shown) may be incorporated for use when an integral or magnetically induced stirrer is incorporated. The base may be fitted with a heating element (not shown) incorporating a sensitive (+/-0.50C) thermostat for accurate control of the temperature of the liquid. All the electronic units are solid state, with crystal-generated digital output where measurements are necessary. The electrodes may be of any appropriate conducting material, being selected with care as potential contamination or heavy metal sensitivity must be born in mind; The use of alternating current ensures that the electrodes are not eroded or built up differentially, but traces of metal from oxidative and other processes affecting the electrodes in the conducting medium could affect very sensitive tissues such as animal cell cultures, eggs, protoplasts or even much larger and tougher tissues such as seeds when a deficiency of an element may be affecting performance. Copper and zinc for example, are well known fungicides, and their use could affect disease scores. Aluminium has been used successfully for electrodes as once a protective layer of aluminium oxide has formed the metal is virtually inert. A signal generator 3 incorporates sine wave, square wave and saw-tooth wave outputs, controlled via a threeway switch. The amplitude is also variable and both this and the wave type may be observed directly where an oscilloscope is incorporated. A continuous control s used to change the wavelength, and this is shown on a digital, liquid crystal display 6. The generator is self-compensating for fluctuations in mains output voltage. The sound wave generated can be varied on the prototype from 10 to 20,000 Hertz (cycles per second) thus spawning the complete range audible to the human ear. Under normal operation conditions it seems that for an appreciable response detectable by the human hand the responses most effective range from approximately 40 to 7,500 Hz and that the curve is flat-topped. It is advisable to utilise a separate signal amplifier 4 of robust construction and adequate power rather than use the relatively delicate signal generator to drive the signal, especially when large volume tanks are used. A 16 watt amplifier, for example, is quite adequate for treating a 25 litre tank filled with sugarbeet seed. Thus the signal generator 3 is electrically connected to the electrodes 1 via the signal amplifier 4. The apparatus may also be fitted with a lead to a loudspeaker (not shown) for audible assessment of the true audio frequency. Additionally a synthetic sound generator of fixed frequency may be fitted to give an audio signal via the loudspeaker and allow monitoring of pulsed output. Some tissues appear to respond better to a pulsed signal rather than a continuous one. A pulse generator 5 has separate dual (paired) controls for the on" and "off" states so that the Mehesz Effect can be brought into activity discontinuously in accurately controlled repeated fashion. The prototype pulse control is capable of random or regular intervals, with the "on" pulses having a duration of from 0.001 second to 10 seconds, and the "off" or"qwet" periods are similarly variable via a series of click-stop switches. Thus the "on" and "off" periods may be equal or unequal in length, and great numbers of exposure combinations are available to the operator. The pulse generator 5 is connected between the signal generator and the amplifier but may be by-passed when only a continous signal is required. A voltmeter 7 measures the potential difference between the electrodes and an ammeter is incorporated as a safety device in the event of conductivity being changed as a result of electrolytes leaching into the medium. The following comments relate to operating the apparatus. Some information is needed for pre-setting certain parameters, e.g. temperature, wavelength or time. For poultry eggs, for example, the fertile eggs must be kept at incubator temperature throughout the treatment to avoid cold shock, and thermostatic control of the heating element is essential. With dormant material, e.g. plant seeds, ambient temperature is generally adequate, although there may be an advantage in using hot water at non-lethal temper- atures to combine the treatment with fungicidal activity or to dissolve chemical inhibitors of germination. There may be benefits in pre-soaking the seeds to initiate breaking of dormancy and commencement of mobilising food reserves by enzymic action. Routine treatment of sugarbeet seeds, for example, has been done at 18oC, in tap water,at 500 z and given a positive response in the case of some cultivars and seed stocks with exposures between 30 and 60 minutes continuous treatment and with an output voltage of c. 10 V. showing across the terminals. Such a setting induces a very considerable tinglethe Mehesz Effect - if the hand is immersed, and the field appears maximal on the axis between the electrodes. Hence, a stirrer is needed to ensure equal exposure when the tank has more than a small amount of tissue. Single eggs or small quantities of seed 8 may be suspended between the electrodes in a perforated container (not shown) to ensure repeatable treatment. All settings should be fixed and the circuits allowed to stabilize before immersion o-f the tissues. The presence of the Mehesz Effect may easily be checked by inserting an extended hand, which should be scrupulously clean, into the tank and altering the plane An effect governed by c.10 v is as much as can be tolerated by the average person. The nature of the Mehesz Effect will now be described. The Mehesz Effect is produced by using an apparatus to pass a signal of a frequency audible to the human ear between the electrodes. It was first termed "insonation". The physical effect was much greater than that expected from a simple exposure to a low voltage with alternating current. The tingling sensation is independend of the current flowing, this being related to the impedance of the fluid. If the resistance of, say, tap water, is lowered by adding salts the measurable current may be increased x 1,000 without affecting the sensation. The effect does, however, appear to depend upon the wavelength and amplitude of the signal, and at given Hz (frequency) and amplitude values the "Mehesz Dosage" is defined as the product of voltage and time e.g. 10 volts for 30 minutes is equivalent to 300 "Me units". Within certain limits the product curve (V x time) appears to be linear i.e. 10 V x 30 minutes equals 15 V x 20 minutes. Obviously other effects must be taken into account : the robustness of the circuits will determine maximum values of potential difference and amperage, and the physiological state of the tissue is important. Dry, hard, seeds for example have a different sensitivity to soaked seeds in which the germination process has been initiated and in which cell division may be actively occurring. 1,000 for 0.3.minutes will not produce instantly germinated seeds, but 1 V for 5 hours may germinate, say,ripe cress seed if other conditions such as temperature are optimal because we know that water alone over such a long period may be effective. Nevertheless the short, powerful treatment may influence subsequent growth and ultimate performance with dormant seed it might affect the charge on essential molecules such as those in cell membranes. It could conceivably kill actively growing seeds. In experiments so far the voltage range used has varied from 2 V to 30 V, and it has been found useful to work with a sine wave generating 10 V. Once the apparatus is thus set switching to the square wave function causes an immediate rise in p.d. to c.17.5 V. The saw-tooth wave is intermediate in effect. The human hand has been used as a detector and water as the coupling agent because all living cells contain water and protoplasm has an aqueous base. Even very dry cereal seed rarely has less than c.8% water and when harvested under good conditions contains 12 to 18%. Water molecules are vital in the photosynthetic and respiratory processes, and the modest electrical effects of the Mehesz Treatment can be envisaged as influencing the electron transfer processes of energy capture and release. It is also presumed that oxygen is necessary for activity, and the relative importance of water and oxygen may be ascertained using non-aqueous fluorocarbon liquids in place of water. Should an aqueous medium be absolutely necessary it may be possible to utilise a chamber in which a fine spray or mist is used as the conductor yet the biological material be kept relativety dry. A high voltage/low exposure combination would help in this situation - useful in saving time and energy in returning seeds to a proper moisture content for storage. It is important to know how long any benefit of the Mehesz treatment lasts when applied to organisms in the resting phase e.g. to seeds which are not undergoing cell division and in which mobilisation of stored food is proceeding just fast enough to allow basic respiration and maintain life. If the Mehesz treatment is comparable with recharging an electrical battery then the mitochondria and various cell membranes are the obvious units to examine for comparison with untreated material. The former, minute (c.10 nm x 1 nm) organelles are the power houses of the cell and contain their own hereditary material. They can be extracted from ground up tissue by ultracentrifugation and their ability to consume oxygen and substrates measured in vitro. The wholeness or otherwise of the phospholipid membranes of the cell also reflects the strength of the charges and bonds on and between the molecules, and can be checked by electron microscopy. If the Mehesz Effect does indeed function in this way it is quite conceivable that treated seed will last better in storage and show more vigour upon germination - and perhaps throughout the life cyclethan untreated seed. On the other hand any terminal advantage found may result from a single, initial "push start" advantage giving the equivalent of a slightly longer growth period. While an important use of the apparatus of Fig. 1 is the treatment of seeds, the apparatus of Fig. 2 may be used for the treatment of humans or animals and that of Fig. 3 for the treatment of humans. Fig. 2 shows a pair of flexible pads 9,9 made of a material capable of absorbing an electrically conducting liquid medium, such as tap water. Enclosed within each pad 9 is a tin flexible metal plate 10, which may be made of copper or aluminium and which serves as an electrode. The electrodes 10 are electrically connected to a source of audio frequency electric signals 11, which may conveniently take the form of the units 3 to 5 and 7 shown in Fig. 1. In use, the flexible pads may be moistened with tap water and applied to humans or animals requiring treatment, for example by being wrapped around limbs thereof, and the electric signals applied to the electrodes. The water in the pads acts as a coupling agent so that the Mehesz treatment may be effected on the humans or animals. The treatment may be medical or non-medical. It has been found that the treatment is beneficial to arthritis sufferers, who have experienced a reduction in pain and/or an increase in mobility after treatment. The treatment is also beneficial in improving the fitness of healthy people, for example by toning up their muscles. Amongst animals, race horses have been successfully-treated to improve their mobility. Fig. 3 shows a domestic bath 12 having electrodes 13 immersed in the bath at opposite ends. The electrodes 13 are electrically connected to a source of audio frequency electric signals 14, which may again take the form of the units 3 to 5 shown in Fig. 1. The electrodes 13, connected to the signal source 14 may be fitted to an existing bath as and when required or the electrodes 13 may be left in position in the bath and the signal source connected as required. In using the apparatus, the person to be treated is immersed in water in the bath between the electrodes and the signals applied progressively to the electrodes. The treatment is particularly intended for increasing the fitness of fit persons and physiotherapy. The invention will now be further described with reference to certain experiments by way of example. INITIAL EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATIONS The inventor initially carried out simple tests as follows:i) sugar beet seeds were germinated on filter paper and higher germination obtained for the treated seeds, though the control seeds were unsoaked. ii) a field test of barley compared treated seed with normal seed drilled dry. A doubling of yield was obtained, and the yield components (tiller number, straw strength, ear length etc.) bore this out. It is conceivable that the main effect could have been due to soaking and relative speed of germination. iii) a batch of 12 fertile but ageing hens eggs were put in two groups. The untreated ones scarcely hatched the six treated eggs gave forth vigorous, healthy chickens. No explanation was possible. iv) sugar beet seeds were treated in two different ways with the apparatus and sown in plots along with equal numbers of untreated seed. One treatment yielded a number of larger sugar beet than the untreated seed, the other treatment gave a yield more than twice that of the untreated seed. v) seedlings grown from untreated seeds of a variety of types appeared to a certain extent frost resistant and to grow at temperatures where seedlings from untreated seeds did not. vi) a variety of plants watered with the water left in the apparatus after administration of the process appeared to be larger and healthier than other plants watered with tap water. EVIDENCE FROM CONTROLLED EXPERIMENTS ON SEEDS Further trials have shown some promising trends, statistically significant but not always with reproducible deviations. Such data are reliable because the seeds ere accurately treated using reproducible techniques, then germinated and grown under closely controlled conditions in constant environments of laboratory incubators. Most importantly an adequate level of replication was used - usually 5 for sugar beet. i) Sugar Beet. In trial soaked and unsoaked control seeds were compared with 4 exposures (10,20,40, and 80 minutes) of 5.5 V at 500 Hz. The treatments showed a statistically significant increase in germination at 12 days. A fifth treatment - only 5 minutes - could not be distinguished from the controls and the exposure time was deemed ineffective. A responsive stock of sugar beet was also used to test the effects of incorporating various pulse regimes. Using 500 Hz and with amplitude adjusted to give 10 Volts, tank times of 15,30 and 60 minutes were factorically combined with the following regular (equal on and off) pulses :- 1,5,10 and 50 per second i.e. the 50 p/sec means 50 complete on/off cycles of 1/50 second duration and each on-time exists for 1/100 second. Thus in 15 minutes treatment with any of the pulse regimes, the Mehesz Effect will be detectable for a total of 7 E minutes. The following results were recorded for percentage germination after 11 days: Treatment Time 15 Minutes 30 Min. 60 Min. Mean Control (No Mehesz) 80% Continuous 77% 85 83% 81-7X 1 pulse/sec 83 77 & 82.3 5 pulse/sec 82 83 86 83.7 10 pulse/sec 75 79 79 77.7 50 pulse/sec 90 85 81 85.3 mean of pulsed 82.5% 81% treatments 82. 5% 81% 83. 25% With this seed stock 30 minutes continuous treatment has tended to be somewhat superior to soaked,unexposed controls and to 15 or 60 ninute continuous treatments. The best individual result was obtained with a rapid beat (50/sec) for only 15 minutes - a total "on" time of only 72 minutes. The comparisons 15 min. continuous versus the mean of the 30 min. pulsed and 30 min. continuous versus the mean of the 60 min. pulsed show no significance differences so that pulsing allows the effective period of exposure to the Mehesz Effect to be halved without reducirg the exposure. As the mean pulsed effect is as effective as the continuous exposure the "on-off" pulse implies a carry over mechanism. this may be due to the "quiet period" allowing steps in the metabolic cycle to be completed before further stimulation. ii) Winter Barley. Treated seeds of Maris Trojan (15 and 30 minutes, 500 Hz and 5V) were significantly superior in germination to the 15 minute water soaked control. 45 minutes was better than the control but less good than the shorter exposures - good evidence for "overtreatment" and a curvilinear response. It is of interest that here some outstanding individual seedlings were obtained even though total germination was less than the short exposure treatments. iii) Winter Wheat. (a) Cv. Avalon (exposures 15, 30, 45 and 90 minutes, at 500 Hz and 5 V, plus water soaked control) gave almost complete germination. Relative growth was expressed as linear measurement of the coleoptiles, and all treatments had a mean coleoptile length greater than the control. The inference is that bigger plants would have grown had the duration of the trial been extended. (b) Cv. brigand (exposures 15,30 and 45 minutes at 500 Hz and 5V) reacted dramatically. the seed was of less good quality than the Avalon and the two shorter treatments grave double the percentage germination of the water soaked control. The 45 minute treatment was less impressive but still better than the control. No significant differences were observed in eoleoptiles length. It is probable that the physiological state of the seed, rather than the genotype of Maris Brigand, was responsible for the demonstrated effect. iv) Winter Oats. (a) C. Pennal. Only the 45 minute treatment (at 500 Hz and 5V) showed a significant improvement in germination, but with (b) Cv. Maris Osprey, all the treatments (15, 30 and 45 minutes) were superior to the water soaked control. No effect on coleoptile length was observed, but improved germination implies a possibility of better overall field yield. FURTHER REPLICATED EXPERIMENTS USING SEEDS These included laboratory and glasshouse work using the Mehesz Treatment on sugar beet seed subsequently pelleted. Some of the seeds were also treated with protective chemicals prior to pelleting. The Mehesz exposure was for 120 minutes at 500 Hz and 10 Volts The control seed was in water for 120 minutes at the same temperature. Table 1 Laboratory germination % (at constant 20 OC) for 4 treatments on pelleted sugar beet seed. EMI15.1 <tb> <SEP> Treatment <SEP> Germination <SEP> X <SEP> <tb> <SEP> Day <SEP> 5 <SEP> Day <SEP> 10 <tb> I. <SEP> Mehesz <SEP> Treated <SEP> 951 <SEP> 96 <tb> <SEP> + <SEP> Panogen <tb> 2. <SEP> Mehesz <SEP> Treated <SEP> 95 <SEP> 97 <tb> <SEP> + <SEP> Panogen <SEP> + <SEP> Mesurol <tb> 3. <SEP> Control <SEP> 75 <SEP> 83 <tb> <SEP> Panogen <SEP> Only <SEP> <tb> 4. <SEP> Untreated <SEP> 75 <SEP> 81 <tb> + Bigger sturdier and much more vigorous seedlings (approx 3 cm) were obtained in comparison with the other. 3 treatments which were only barely emerging at the 5 day count. Table 2 Percent emergence to day 10 after sowing and fresh shoot weight after 14, 21 and 28 days from date of stowing in a glasshouse. EMI16.1 <tb> Treatment <SEP> Mehesz <SEP> Treated <SEP> Mehesz <SEP> Treated <SEP> Control <SEP> Untreated <tb> <SEP> + <SEP> <SEP> Panogen <SEP> + <SEP> Panogen <SEP> Panogen <tb> <SEP> l <SEP> + <SEP> Mesurol <SEP> only <tb> A <SEP> Emergence <SEP> <tb> Day <SEP> 4 <SEP> 4 <SEP> 1 <SEP> 1 <SEP> 0 <tb> Day <SEP> 5 <SEP> 43 <SEP> 7 <SEP> 8 <SEP> 1 <tb> Day <SEP> 6 <SEP> 73 <SEP> 34 <SEP> 36 <SEP> 7 <tb> Day <SEP> 7 <SEP> 80 <SEP> 62 <SEP> 58 <SEP> 23 <tb> Day <SEP> 8 <SEP> 83 <SEP> 73 <SEP> 65 <SEP> 29 <tb> Day <SEP> 9 <SEP> 87 <SEP> 79 <SEP> 66 <SEP> 35 <tb> Day <SEP> 10 <SEP> 87 <SEP> 81 <SEP> 67 <SEP> 40 <tb> Single <SEP> seedling <SEP> fresh <SEP> shoot <SEP> wt. <SEP> in <SEP> mg. <tb> and <SEP> % <SEP> of <SEP> control. <tb> After <SEP> 14 <SEP> days <tb> Mg. <SEP> 94 <SEP> 58 <SEP> 60 <SEP> 53 <tb> <SEP> 158 <SEP> 97 <SEP> 100 <SEP> 89 <tb> 21 <SEP> days <tb> Mg. <SEP> 392 <SEP> 282 <SEP> 336 <SEP> 167 <tb> % <SEP> <SEP> 117 <SEP> 84 <SEP> 100 <SEP> 50 <tb> 28 <SEP> days <tb> Mg. <SEP> 832 <SEP> 494 <SEP> 514 <SEP> 436 <tb> % <SEP> 162 <SEP> 96 <SEP> 100 <SEP> 85 <tb> The conclusion is that the Mehesz Treatment cn a Hilleshog Monogerm t Miln Marsters) when combined with the organomurcurial fungicide panogen increased the rate of emergence, increased total seedling emergence and gave heavier seedling shoots relative to the other 3 treatments. An interesting observation was the reduced vigour and lower seedling shoot weight in the Mehesz + Panogen + Mesurol treatment. This may be due to the Mehesz process having affected the seeds so that they showed a deleterious interaction with the systemic insecticides mesurol. Permeability of the seed testa may be increased by the Mehesz Treatment so that smaller quantities of mesurol are effective and the normal dose becomes phytotoxic. Seeds of Italian ryegrass and rape oil were subjected to the Mehesz Treatment and allowed to germinate. The test results are given below. ITALIAN RYEGRASS % GERMINATION MEAN HEIGHT SAMPLE NO. MEHESZ UNITS PULSE Paper Test Soil test (mm) 18685 30 x 10 Continuous 32 11 77 18686 60 x 10 pulsed 19 11 50 18683 30 x 40 Continuous 31 22 75 18684 30 x 10 pulsed 12 9 61 18583 Control - 30 minute soak 57 (55*) 53 61 OIL SEED RAPE 18687 30 x 10 Continuous 61 55 44 18688 15 x 10 Continuous 67 37 68 18690 30 x 10 pulsed 68 53 41 18689 60 x 20 pulsed 62 48 62 18582 Control - 30 minute soak 58 (62*) 49 36 * additional test 4 weeks previous. Further germination experiments of seed samples of Italian ryegrass and oil seed rape which have been subjected to the Mehesz Treatment are described below. The Samples were put on a Copenhagen germination tank. Each lot number was counted out with fifty seeds on each of four pads. The positions of the pads were randomised. The germinated seeds were counted off after 8, 14 and 21 days, and the total number of seeds germinated on each pad calculated as a percentage of the number put on. Abnormal seedlings were not counted in the germination figure. Germination Results of Samples of Italian Ryegrass EMI19.1 <tb> Sample <SEP> No. <SEP> Average <SEP> Germination <SEP> Abnormal <tb> <SEP> Seedlings <tb> <SEP> 18685 <SEP> 30% <SEP> (35 <SEP> + <SEP> 42 <SEP> + <SEP> 37 <SEP> + <SEP> [25*])/3 <SEP> 5/200 <tb> <SEP> 18686 <SEP> 20% <SEP> (25 <SEP> + <SEP> 18 <SEP> + <SEP> 18 <SEP> + <SEP> 20)/4 <SEP> 0/200 <tb> <SEP> 18683 <SEP> 30% <SEP> (37 <SEP> + <SEP> 27 <SEP> + <SEP> 28 <SEP> + <SEP> 28)/4 <SEP> 2/200 <tb> <SEP> 18684 <SEP> 14% <SEP> (14 <SEP> + <SEP> 14 <SEP> + <SEP> 14 <SEP> + <SEP> 14)/4 <SEP> 3/200 <tb> * One of the pads dried up and this result was discounted from the average germination figure. Germination Results of Samples of Oil Seed Rape EMI20.1 <tb> Sample <SEP> No. <SEP> Average <SEP> Germination <SEP> Abnormal <tb> <SEP> Seedlings <tb> <SEP> 18687 <SEP> 62% <SEP> (67 <SEP> + <SEP> 60 <SEP> + <SEP> 58 <SEP> + <SEP> 63) <SEP> 3/200 <tb> <SEP> 4 <tb> <SEP> 18688 <SEP> 68% <SEP> (63 <SEP> + <SEP> 67 <SEP> + <SEP> 72 <SEP> + <SEP> 71) <SEP> 2/200 <tb> <SEP> 4 <tb> <SEP> 18690 <SEP> 62% <SEP> (64 <SEP> + <SEP> 78 <SEP> + <SEP> 54 <SEP> + <SEP> 52) <SEP> 10/200 <tb> <SEP> 4 <tb> <SEP> 18689 <SEP> 71% <SEP> (69 <SEP> + <SEP> 78 <SEP> + <SEP> 63 <SEP> + <SEP> 72) <SEP> 4/200 <tb> <SEP> 4 <tb> The following tables compare the germination of sugar beet seeds which have been subjected to the Mehesz Treatment with water soaked sugar beet seeds (control). Three seed stocks were supplied by Messers germans Ltd: stock No. 1. was of high vigour, stock No. 2 of low vigour and stock No. 3 of medium vigour. Half of each stock was soaked in water for one hour to deplete inhib- itors while the other half lots were treated by the Mehesz Process for 60 minutes at 500 Hz and 10 Volts. Ouput was of saw tooth wave form and continuous (i.e. no pulse was inserted) and the water paths were maintained at 3C C. GERMINATION RESULTS OF THREE STOCKS OFSUGAR BEET EMI21.1 <SEP> Stock: <SEP> Germin's <SEP> No.1 <SEP> Stock: <SEP> Germain's <SEP> No. <SEP> 2 <SEP> Stock: <SEP> Germain's <SEP> No.3 <tb> <SEP> Hours <SEP> after <SEP> treatmnt <SEP> Percentage <SEP> germination <SEP> Percentage <SEP> germination <SEP> Percentage <SEP> germination <tb> Mhesz <tb> treated <SEP> 48 <SEP> 18 <SEP> 3 <SEP> 1 <tb> <SEP> 72 <SEP> 36 <SEP> 12 <SEP> 4 <tb> <SEP> 96 <SEP> 67 <SEP> 22 <SEP> 5 <tb> <SEP> 120 <SEP> 77 <SEP> 26 <SEP> 6 <tb> <SEP> 144 <SEP> 82 <SEP> 32 <SEP> 7 <tb> <SEP> 168 <SEP> 85 <SEP> 35 <SEP> 9 <tb> <SEP> 216 <SEP> 86 <SEP> 40 <SEP> 23 <tb> <SEP> 240 <SEP> 87 <SEP> 42 <SEP> 25 <tb> Control <SEP> 48 <SEP> 8 <SEP> 3 <SEP> 4 <tb> <SEP> 72 <SEP> 25 <SEP> 11 <SEP> 26 <tb> <SEP> 96 <SEP> 32 <SEP> 12 <SEP> 31 <tb> <SEP> 120 <SEP> 33 <SEP> 12 <SEP> 31 <tb> <SEP> 144 <SEP> 35 <SEP> 12 <SEP> 32 <tb> <SEP> 168 <SEP> 38 <SEP> 12 <SEP> 32 <tb> <SEP> 216 <SEP> 50 <SEP> 12 <SEP> 33 <tb> <SEP> 240 <SEP> 52 <SEP> 12 <SEP> 33 <tb> The tables show the improvement in percentage germination due to the Mehesz Treatment when applied to Germain's Nos. 1 and 2 seeds but the opposite effect was obtained with Germair.9 No. 3. EXPERIMENTS WITH ANIMAL TISSUES As referred to above the inventor experimented with fertile hens eggs which were known to have poor physiological status and which were not expected to produce vigorous chicks. After incubation for three weeks only one of six controls emerged and it subsequently died. Six other eggs had been treated, and hatched five healthy, robust chicks which began feathering in one wee and had an average wing span of 19.5" at five weeks. As yet no tests have been conducted with top quality, high vigour hybrid eggs to see if good material can be further improved, (as opposed to "rejuvenating" old eggs). It is envisaged that fish may also respond positively, but no instrument settings have been determined prior to doing tests. It is also envisaged that it is possible to treat spermatozoa in seminal fluid and that this may enhance fertilization and perhaps produce more vigorous offspring. It is also conceivable that if the Mehesz Effect works via electrochemical boosting of the cell energy systems, and even more so if the charges are instrumental in aiding repair of degenerating cell membranes, that ageing effects may be retarded. Cell membranes comprise a double layer of fat molecules (phospholipid and cholesterol) (heads out, tails in) interspersed with protein molecules, the average thickness of the whole being about 10 nano neuters. The proteins are responsible for transport of charged, water-soluble ions through the membranes, and the energy of chemical bonds in ATP is convertible into work in order to move ions against gradients e.g. the sodium-potassium pump of the outer cell membrane and the calcium pump in mitochondrial membranes. The electrical charges have to be just right for perfect function, and "run/down" cells eventually die. Experiments with animal cell tissue cultures are envisaged. EXPERIMENTS WITH WHOLE PLANTS AND THE GROWING MEDIUM The electrodes may be attached to living plants to affect plant growth. Alternatively needle electrodes may be used and inserted into the tissues. Additionally plants growing in soil can also be exposed to the Mehesz Effect by inserting suitably sized electrodes into moist soil, which may be contained in the tank of the apparatus. Water is the coupling agent, just as it is when the electrodes are directly placed in the plant tissues. Dry soil will not conduct the effect. It is suggested that in addition to the voltage flow through the aqueous phase of the soil and the root cells there is a physical effect upon the soil constituents. The structure of the soil particles may be affected, and when the soil is not in perfect condition the physical vibrations may aid the floculation of colloids in clay to give a superior "crumb" structure. This, in turn, would allow improved operation and hence, through additional microbial and earthworm etc. activity, a better balanced growing medium. Cause and effect are not easy to separate but ion-exchange may be promoted, directly or indirect ly, and thus more nutrients may be available for plants. A number of modifications of the invention is possible. Thus in another application of the invention, instead of immersing the tissue in water or another coupling agent in the tank while the Mehesz Treatment is applied, the apparatus could be operated with water (or an alternative medium) alone in the tank. The resultant (i.e. treated) water might then be brought into contact with living tissues. For example seeds could be germinated in it or have the treated water sprayed on, or growing plants could be watered with treated water to modify growth. Similarly eggs may be brought into contact with the treated water prior to hatching, or the treated water may be administered to animals or fish to modify their growth. If the electrical signal applied to the electrodes of the apparatus of the invention is not a simple signal, for example where a pulsed signal is employed and/or the signal includes a succession of different frequencies or is indeed a multiple of different frequencies, it may be advantageous to record the signal for treatment of the tissues,for example on tape. The recorded signal may then be applied to the electrodes as required. Thus in the apparatus of the invention, the signal generator may be replaced by a generator adapted to reproduce a recorded signal, for example a tape recorder may be substituted for the signal generator and may be used to reproduce the recorded signal from a recorded tape. Amplification of the reproduced signal may be required before applying it to the electrodes.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method of influencing biological activity which comprises generating electrically dependent oscillations in a liquid, electrically conductant medium in which living organisms are immersed or with which living organisms are otherwise contacted so as to influence their physiology. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the living organisms are all plants and their constituents including seeds or the living organisms are all animals and their constituents including eggs, the electrically dependent oscillations are of audio frequency in the range of from 10 to 20,000 Hz and the amplitude of the oscillations is adjusted to generate an output of from 2 to 30 volts or from 30 to 3000 volts. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the liquid medium is tap water. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the electrically dependent oscillations are audio frequency oscillations generated in soil, the liquid medium is water contained in the soil and the living organisms are plants growing in the soil or alternatively the living organisms are plants, the liquid medium is water contained in the plants and the electrically dependent oscillations are audio frequency oscillations generated directly in the plants. 5. A modification of the method as claimed in claim 1 in which the electrically dependent oscillations are generated in a liquid medium and then the medium is brought into contact with living tissues. 6. A modification of the method claimed in claim 1, and for improving the fitness of humans or animals Which comprises contacting the human or animal with Lap electricaZly conducting liquid medium and generating electrically dependent oscillations of audiofrequency in the liquid medium. 7. Apparatus for influencing biological activity comprising: (a) an audio frequency electric signal generator of fixed or variable frequency, (b) two or more electrodes electrically connected to the signal output of said generator, and (c) means for maintaining an electrically conductant liquid medium in contact with said electrodes. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which the means for maintaining the electrically conductant liquid medium in contact with said electrodes is a tank or vessel in which the electrodes are immersed. 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which the means for maintaining the electrically conductant liquid medium in contact with said electrodes is a material for absorbing the liquid medium, said material clothing the electrodes and the electrodes being flexible. 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9 in which the output of the signal generator is of variable frequency in the range 10 to 20,000 Hz and of variable amplitude so as to generate an output in the range 2 to 30 volts or 30 to 3000 volts,and optionally of variable wave form. 11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10 which also comprises at least one of the following: (d) a signal amplifier between the signal generator and the electrodes for amplifying the signal to the electrodes and (e) a pulse generator for applying a pulsed signal to the electrodes, the pulse generator being arranged to apply pulses having a duration of from 0.001 second to 10 seconds for both on" and "off" states of the pulse generator. 12. Apparatus for influencing biological growth comprising: (a) an audio frequency electric signal generator (b) two or more electrodes electrically connected to the signal output of said generator, and (c) means for monitoring and/or regulating the frequency and amplitude of the signals for use in the methods of any one of claims 1 to 6. 13. Apparatus for influencing biological growth comprising: (a) a tape recorder and reproducer, (b) two or more electrodes electrically connected to the output thereof and (c) means for maintaining an electrically conductant liquid medium in contact with said electrodes. 14. A magnetic recording tape having recorded thereon a succession of audio frequency signals adapted to influence biological activity when reproduced to generate the electrically dependent oscillations of the methods claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

Inventors: MEHESZ, STEPHEN VON
Applicants: MEHESZ CORPORATION
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A01G7
IPC codes: A01C1, A01K67, A01K29, A01G7