Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-06-03
1irgiuia free gress
June 3, 1896.
X-RAY SPECTACLES NOW.
Edison Invents Portable Machine for
Surgeons.

ORANGE, March pa few weeks ago
Thomas A. Edison abandoned Auorescent
photography, and since then he has de-
voted his time in his laboratory at West
Orange to searching for means of making
X rays assist the naked eve in seeing
through solid flesh. He experimental
with 1900 chemicals and minerals until
he discovered that tuugstate of calcium
was the material for his purpose He
found that by covering paper with crys-
tails of the chemicals he was enable to see
through the arm and eight inches of solid
wood, and that it was also possible to see
through three feet of cork, all with the
naked eye applied to a roughly construct
ed apparatus called by him Horoscope.
After discovering that tungstate Of cal
cium served as a potential for the X rays,
the inventor continued to experiment with
that chemical, and this afternoon he sta.
ted that be had cntrived a portable X
ray apparatus. The new apparatus can
be constructed for little money. Mr.. Ed
ison intends to show it at an electrical
exhibition to be given in New York soon.
The new machine will permit hospital
surgeons and physicians to examine an
injured limb and to see the interior of the
arm or leg while using their instruments
in operation so that no unnecessary cut
ting or probing will be done.
The new machine consists of a double
tube vacuum pump attached to a wooden
upright, the exhaust mercury pipe run
ming into a small wooden box alongside
the pump, in which the tube is placed
The electric current IS furnished from an
ordinary battery and induction coil un-
der the box, or in any other convenient
place, and the wires leading up through
the bottom of the box make it impossible
that the surgeon or patient receive a
shock. The surgeon would turn on the
current and place the part of body to be
operated on across the top of the box with
the tube belonging to the apparatus. The
Horoscope would then be fastened over
the surgeons eyes. When placed over
the eyes, the Horoscope looks like large
pair Of spectacles without lenses. The
outer end of the apparatus is covered with
the tungstate of calcium crystals. The
thin board cover of the box offers no eff
fective resistance 10 the passage of the
rays, and it would be possible tor the at
tending surgeon to make an examination
of the injured part at leisure, to ascertain
the exact spot of the injury, and to use
his instruments with precision in remov
ing foreign substance or in setting q
broken bone.
The tunstate of calcium is made for
| Mr.. Edison by an Orange hrm OF chem
lists, and when he secures new supply Of
the chemical he will continue work on
the large screen or Horoscope, with which
he hopes to be able to see easily through
all parts of the head or body. Chus far
Mr.. Edison has perfected his tubes and
Horoscope to such an extent that it !;
possible for him to see through the tissue;
of the arm, leg, or shoulder, and locate
every bone clearly.
Whether Mr.. Edison will make any
money out of his Horoscope or not is
question. Since he began experimenting
with the Roentgen rays he has worked OIL
an average twenty hours a day and ha;
spent thousands of dollars.