The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-18
ON THE INSIDE TRACK.
Dentists and Surgeons Now Explore the
Human Interior with Electric Lamps.


Professor Elsberg exhibited in this city
about ten years ago one Of the earlier
applications OF the electric lamp. as an
adjunct 10 surgery, and the recent ex-
hibition Of an Illuminated human head
at the Academy OF Medicine Is a further
development OF the same interesting sub
iect The incandescent electric light is
now employed I'm a variety Of interesting
ways by physicians and dentists one
Of the earliest uses OF the tiny lamp
was for the purpose Of detecting spots
OF decay in teeth that upon ordinary
inspection seemed sound. or at least did
not reveal the exact location Of the de-
feet A small incandescent lamp placed
in the mouth Of a subject so Eliminates
the teeth that no defect can escape de-
lection Professor Elsberg's experiment
was for the purpose Of demonstrating the
value OF the electric light in explorations
Of the cheek bones. These bones are
hollow, lined with mucus membrane, ana
connected by orihces with the nose. Inc
cavities, also, lie so near the roots or
some Of the teeth, that an ulcer at the
root Of such "A tooth sometimes results
I'm the escape OF pus into the bone cav
fly, The consequences Of this are often
grave, and as no ordinary inspection can
reveal the presence Of pus in the cavity
Of the electric lamp are Of great value.
When the small electric lamp is taken
into the mouth. the whole face is lighted
I'D. and even the bones are 10 a con-
siderable degree Illuminated If there Is
any foreign substance in the cavity or
the cheek bone the light reveals Il.
After the use Of the electric light came
It's application 10 the Illumination Of dis
eased stomachs. Doctors nowadays use
the stomach pump very little, but wash
out troublesome stomachs with the az
Of n funnel a rubber tube, and warm
water. much as they would wash any
cavity. When the stomach Is TO be
Illuminated. such a tube IS sent down
with an electric lamp at the lower eN-
tremlty. the wires running up through
the tube. The patient takes drink OF
water before swallowing the electric
lamp. I'm order that the walls OF the
stomach may be distended, and not come
I'm immediate contact with the lamp.
The current is then turned on, ana the
abdomen appears an illuminated mound.
The skilled medicO-electrician processes
20 detect many disturbances OF lle
stomach by aid Of this illumination but
the science and art Of studying man
insides from the outside by the aid Of
electricity Is yet comparatively new, and
there is much 10 be learned.
One Of the most wonderful uses OF the
electric light is in the exploration Of the
bladder. In the case of this organ the
surgeon passes IN a prism and an cleo
tric light and manages not only 70 illu-
inmate the interior, hut actually 10 see
its various parts reflected In mirror
from the prism BY the aid Of this con-
trlvance the very last secrets OF the blad-
der are laid open 10 the surgeon
The electric lamps employed by den-
fists and surgeons I'm the study OF the
human interior are tiny affairs made win
the utmost care. so that they snail
NOT irritate parts with which they come
in contact 4 special dental lamp IS
about seyen-elghths Of an inch long ana
somewhat less than three-eighths or
an inch IN diameter. II is OF one-hah
candle power. and fl is used to hght UP
small cavities IN the teeth. A larger
one Is an inch and a half long and half
an inch I'm diameter. IL also Is or one
half candle power. The tiniest OF an Is
tho nea lamp. which Is not larger than
a pea OF medium size. and pear-shaped
IN form. II. too. IS ons-hat candle
mower. and Is so small that II does not
seriously interfere with the dentist as
he manIpulates his implements OF tor
ture. Small pear-shaped lamps of one
and two candle power are also maze
for use in surgery. There is little heat
from these small lamps. and the erect OF
tbeir light I'm Illuminating human cavi-
ties Is marvellous.
The hand. the finger and almost any
mart OF the body may be explored ~
pIaclng # between the eye and the con-
trlvance supplied with a small but pow
erfm electric lamp. The use Of these
lamps in surgery is capable OF INDEFINITE
extension. and the prospect IS that me
phrase black as the inside Of a crow
will have no significance for the surgeon
OF the future.-New York sun.