Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-22
WONDERFUL X RAY.
Dr. Vim. u. Taylor Delivers an Inter-
estinS Lecture on the New Discovery.
PHOTOGRAPH INSIDE OF You,
Pupils of the High school, Physi-
clans, and Electricians See the
Doctor Illustrate the Mcthod-May
Beuefit Medical Science.

DR.. William II. Taylor yesterday after'
noon delivered an interesting lecture on the
newly-discovered X rag to the puphs
in the scientific class OF the Richmond
High School. This Is the first lecture
on this great discovery that has been
delivered in this city, and much Interest
was manifested IN II. In order That the
proper electrical appliances might be used
in illustrating the lecture, 1t was heiu
in the laboratory OF the Medical College
of Virginia, and, though DR.. Tayiof
had intended only to address the pupils
Of the High School. yet there were
present many physicians, electricians. and
others. whose interest had been aroused
by the reports OF the new discovery.
The Doctor began his lecture by stating
that many OF the great scientists VINO
had made wonderful inventions and dis
coyeries had not pushed their work Tor
ward. and had left II to others TO
call the attention of the world TO them.
This was SO, ne said, in the case OF
the telephone and the art Of photograph
ing. The X ray had been discovered two
Years ago by Professor Lenard, who not
only learned Of the power OF these
RAYS. to pass through opaque objects.
but had taken Photographic with them
but that Professor Roentgen had repeat
cd. the experiment on larger scale,
and had populirlzed what Lenard had
published simply as a scientific fact. Pro-
fessor Roentgen had especially created
enthusiasm in the discovery by photo-
graphing the skeleton Of living hand.
That originated the widespread sensa-
ton that now attaches to It,
The Doctor then explained what was
meant by ether through which light.
heat. etc, are transmitted, and Illus
trated 1t by displaying on a screen with
A magic lantern L spectrum or the rain
bow colors. He described the three
best known overwhelmingly, light. heat,
and mechanical effects-as existing in
this spectrum, and indicated how they
are alike and how they differed from the
Y rays.
He then went on TO explain
that the Y rays in some OF their Iphe-
nomena, are very much vt variance with
the present ideas of the properties OF
ether. As far as we know. the Doctor
said, X rays are related only to cleo
tricity, but he also called attention 10
the fact that light itself was now thought
TO be variety or modification
OF electricity. Finally. the doctor, with
a large induction coil owned by the
college, and with "Crookes" tube and
a Photographic plate, turned on the rays
and showed how the photographs were
made.
Dr. Taylor wishes TO express his thanks
for the aid rendered him by Supern-
tendent Thompson, of the Fire-Alarm.
in the electrical part OF the demonstra-
tons. and DR.. j. II. Whitfield for man
aging the lantern for him.
OF BENEFIT IN SURGERY.
The Doctor, when asked what benefit
would result from the discovery to medi-
cal science. said that Il would probably
not be of much use until 1t was further
developed. II the method was perfected
and made perfectly practicable, it would
no doubt be OF great use in surgery. AL
though. he said. laughinglys he had re-
ceived a letter from a young man with
a mashed foot. who wished photograph
taken Of the extremity by the new pro-
cess In order that he might see the in
side OF II, the Doctor did not think at
present he could furnish the young man
with the desired cabinet photo. If the
new discovery proves practicable, how
ever, the Doctor said. the proper appli
ances will be made and II will be used
in the practice OF surgery at the college.