The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-11
THE CATHODE RAYS.
Edison Experimenting With the
Marvellous Roentgen Light.
DOESN'T UNDERSTAND 1T YET.
Today He VIII Photograph the Brain
of q Living Mantle Rays WI
Penetrate the Skull.

Orange. n. j.. Feb. fo-Thomas A. Edi-
son was hard at work all day in his labor
atory in West Orange preparing for MS
experiment OF Photographic the human
body and brain with the aid of the newly
discovered Y rays. With the aid of mer-
curry pumps he labored asslduOusly on
Crcokes tubes OF his own manufacture.
To the mouth of each tube a long glass
tube was attached, and through this, oy
means of a connecting tube In the SIDE,
the mercury was run, and the air In the
Crcckes tube was gradually exhausted by
the mercury. Surrounded by a score or
more OF reporters and other visitors, Mr..
Edison sat for hours watching the prog
ress OF the work. and he displayed won-
derful amount OF patience when, after re-
peated trials, the desired result was not
obtained. Again and again the efforts
were repeated, and Mr.. Edison explained
70 the reporters that he was trying TO see
whether the rays were longitudinal,
etheric vibration going straight out into
space, or local magnetic waves circulate
ing from one electrode TO the other in the
tube and through the air in the immedi-
ate locality by purely local influence He
was desirous OF finding the degree OF
vacuum In a tube which would give the
best effect with Y rays.
In another experiment today he caused
the rays to pass through a piece Of steel
one-half an inch thick. He also found that
the mysterious rays were capable OF pene-
trating a bit OF cardboard, piece Of cell
luloid and a half-inch strip OF steel COM
b:ned. leaving the plate uniformly black.
Had the rays not penetrated the steel. the
plate would naturally have been black in
the place where the steel was not inter-
posed. He secured similar results several
times with equal precision.
In regard TO his proposed attempt at pho
tographing the human brain. the reprIsen-
tatives OF the Associated Press asked Mr..
Edison II there would be any danger OF The
subjects suffering any physical injury
from the rays which would necessarily be
forced through his head. as It had been
suggested that spark of electricity from
the tube might cause some injury to tho
nervous system Mr.. Edison replied: mo:
the subject would be In no danger what
ever. as there is no amperase in the rays
in the tube. and it is the amperage that
works tbs HARM
Tomorrow he VIII try 10 photograph Sec
lions OF the head only. by placing a small
finn. which is the plate inciosed in cellu-
lOld covers, in the mouth OF the subject,
with the plate facing the palate. The rays
from the fuorescent bulb electrOde Will
then be directed so as TO penetrate the skull
and strike the plate AZ the desired angie
After this another plate similarly Incioscd
In ceiluloid covers viii be placed In the
subjects mouth facing the right or left
side OF the head. and the rays win be
placed accordingly. This. In MFR. Edsaon's
opinion, should warrant A successful neg
at.ve. as the rays would have to pass
through only Que thickness of the skull
and then. II the attempt Is satisfactory. he
viii try 10 photograph the entire head with
the plate resting az the back and the rays
penetrating the face. and also the subject
lying on his SIDE. TO have the rays pene-
trate from the right or left with the plate
On the opposite side.