The Portland daily press., 1896-02-15
THE BRAIN PHOTOGRAPHED.
DIR. Simon's Wonderful Discoveries and
Experiments Upon Himself.

New York, February 14.-The human
brain has been photographed.
In the rivalry, of scientists excited by
Rosntgen's application Of the cathode
x rays to photography, DR.. Carleton
Simon OF No. II East Fifty sixth street,
steps forward and exhibits picture of
his own brain, obtained from process
in which the cathode ray is not factor.
1t may be said, however, that the wide
spread interest attracted to Roentgen's
discovery and the experiments of Edison
preparatory to his attempt to photograph
the brain, as chronicled from day to day,
were the incentives that led DIR. Simon,
after nearly three years of labor, to bring
to bear his whole power on a final at
tempt to capture the prioe of honor in be-
ing the first to photograph the brains Of
a living being.
DR.. Simons, who ia a graduate Of the
New York University, pupil of Charcot
of Paris, and member OF the New York
Polyohntic thus tells the story of his
efforts to photograph and his eventual
SUCCESS:
The brain, you know, has been my
espec ial study, and have worked inde-
pen IDENTITY in quiet way, for nearly
three years to photograph it. I first
sought to accomplish my purpose by
passing continuous current of electrici-
ty through the brain, Illuminating 1t by
the spark, and then tried the interrupts
ed current, but this produced paralysis
OF the brain, rendering senseless the SUBJ
Jects. The principle is illustrated by q
flash OF lightning GU dark night which
carries images through which 1t travels
to the eye. From this, indeed, it was
suggested to me that the same idea might
that the little fire fly is made almost
Transparent by it's tiny lantern.
Now finding that flashes of electricity
passing through the body from a circuit
at the smallest possible points, I found
that instead OF passing directly through
the brain it travelled through the skin
around the head, and if, on the other
hand, the fash was drawn through the
brain by magnetic attraction, paralysis
took place.
- then attempted to use the alternat-
ing, interrupted current, nut found that
Insulation of the skin was impossible.
l.tried to follow nature, as in tho fire fly,
in the production of -iridescent
rays After great deal of labor suo-
ceeded in equalizing to a considerable de-
gree the average between the rapidity
with which light travels and the rapidity
with which sound travels. 1t has seemed
to me, In my experiments, that whenever
the rays of light travelled slowly, or
nearer to the rate at which sound travels,
that this same light would in some un-
explained manner, appear to combine
with waves and sound
"The rays I use, use in connection
with sound, and they are electric rays,
so far as the light is concerned. have
attempted in this instance to photograph
my own brain, not being able to procure
any one whom thought would be APP
prOpriate."
DIR. Simon said that he used an ordi-
nary camera, with platinum plates, sub
jected neither to heat nor to any especial
chemical treatment The time of exposure
was limited to TWO minutes. Ordinarily,
the doouor said, the time of exposure
would be regulated by the depth OF ma
terial through which the light must pass.
For the present DIR. Simon will not
make known the details Of his apparat-
us.
~ do not like" he said, ito Withhold
it from the public. but desire to more
fully perfect it, before making the details
known"
He pleaded guilty to the suggestion
that it would be q source of satisfaction
to accomplish himself, the perfecting of
the process which he has discovered.
This much he did say: IT produces the
effect by attraction of the light and pro-
pulsion through the brain substance. At
the time of photographing the whole In
ternal chamber OF the brain is lighted
up"
In conclusion. the dootor said, 81 am
1nk %I,4 le
not consequent on the application of the
cathode ray to photography. My idea
preceded it, but of course, have lately
been inspired to push my experiments. .
For two days and a half the doctor worked
uninterruptedly, save q oouple Of hours
for sleep. when his tir ed brain dreamed
of it's own likeness. The work had not
small animals were sacrificed in the cause
of science. Even the final and success
| full effort was made with no assurance
| that the camera might not hold the pic
ture of dead man. Though in "a measure
satisfied that the process was one by
which the brain could be photographer
without risk of life, it may be stated that
| subject that no other life might be en-
dangered.
| George Francis Train had consented to
sit, but the doctor finally decided not to
| permit him to do SO. AS matter of fact
the success Of the experiments was no
less in that the operation was without
sensation, than in the reproduction of the
brain cture. So far as the use of the
apparatus is concerned, the doctor con-
sented to say that the light was thrown
| from one side of the head against it, as
if magic lantern. while the attractive
| force was at the other.
He had arranged mirrors SO that he
might observe the effects, and was thus
enabled 10 view his own brain. 1t was
| lighted up SO that he sHw the interior
and even the pulsations. His sensations,
SO far as he had any, were at tina strange
| ness of the phenomenal and emotions of
success rather than any physical effect
| produced by tho forces he manipulated.
and which were controlled by electric
| buttons, the camera being exposed at tho
instant that the light was directed at
| tho head.
The doctor is young man. being not
more than IS years of age lis tall, slender