Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-02-14
The Blue Glass Cure.

General A. j. Pleasonton, former army
officer of excellent reputation and unques-
toned ability, believes that he has discov-
cred that sunlight transmitted through blue
glass has a peculiarly stimulating and salu-
tary effect upon vegetable and animal life.
Its influence upon vegetation was first OBJ
served through the accidental circumstance
that blue glass panes had been used in glaz-
ing part of grapery. The vines upon which
the light from the blue glass fell showed a
more rapid and vigorous growth than those
in other parts of the same house and sub
ected to the same treatment otherwise, but
which received only the light from ordinary
clear glass. Having satisfied himself of the
reality of this effect and its cause General
Pleasonton next turned his attention to ex-
periments with animals, and asce tanned, as
it is said, that pigs reared under blue glass
throve wonderfully in comparison with others
treated similarly in all respects, except the
color of their windows. Puny and weakly
piglings, deprived untimely of their natural
sustenance, porcine orphans, at an age when
orphanage under ordinary circumstances i'm
plies starvation, or a sickly infancy and
stunted and protitless maturity, derived
from the blue light some vitalzng influence
that more than made up for their lack of the
maternal fount and maternal care and en-
dearments. The food supplied in place of
the natural nutriment they ate with preco-
cious appetite, and were exceedingly nour-
ished by it, so that they attained the pigs
chief end, symmetrical and weighty dcvel-
opment, earlier than their kindred who were
left to take the sunlight in the natural way.
Chickens also, whose coops were rooted with
blue glass were full Aedged in few days
instead of weeks, as is the way with chickens
in normal circumstances, and developed to
an unusual degree all the qualities that are
most esteemed in fowls of that species. Sim
liar experiments with other animals had re-
suits equally surprising and satisfactory.
General Pleasonton then turned his atten-
ton to the effect of a similar treatment on
human beings. Alternate panes of blue
and clear glass were set in the window, and
he began to take " blue light baths by ex-
posing himself without clothing to the sun
light streaming through this window The
vitalizing and invigorating effect seemed to
him unmistakable. Some time ago he was
thrown from his carriage and his back
severely bruised and strained His physi-
clans advised him that he could not recover
from his injuries for several weeks. He suf-
fered much the first night; liniments and
other applications gave no relief the pain
would not let him sleep. The next morning
as soon as the sun looked in at his bath
room window, General Pleasonton exposed
his back to the blue rays, and found speedy
relief. After blue light bath of an hour
he felt almost WELL and that night slept re-
freshingy, The bath was repeated daily,
and on the third day he was entirely recov-
cred In diseases of the eye this treatment
is said to be very useful. Remarkable cura-
tive effects are also ascribed 10 it in all ner-
vous diseases, including neuralgia and ner-
vous headaches. 1t is claimed to be partic-
uarly eilicacious in all diseases of the spine,
and dreadful case of spinal-mengitis of
four years standing is said to have been
cured by it at Cairo, Illinois. General Pleas
onton says that so far the treatment is inva-
riaby successful. One of the Chicago hos
pitfalls has some of its wards fitted with blue
window panes, and the matter is under dis
cussion in the New York hospitals also
The glass trade is sensibly affected already
by the new demand for blue glass for sani-
tary uses.