Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-03-27
X-RAY sPECTACLEs, NOW.

a few weeks ago Thomas A. Edison
abandoned fuorescent photography,
and since then he has devoted his time
in his labratory at West Orange to
searching for means of making X rays
assist the naked eye in seeing through
solid flesh. He experimental with
1,S0O chemicals and minerals until he
discovered that tungstate of calcium
was the material for his purpose. He
found that by covering paper with crys-
tails of the chemical be was enabled 10
see through his arm and eight inches OF
solid wood. and that it was also pos
siole to see through three feet of cork,
all with the naked eye applied to a
roughly constructed apparatus called
by him Horoscope.
After discovering that tungstate of
calcium served as "a potential for the
X-rays, the inventor continued to
experiment with that chemical, and
Tuesday afternoon he stated that he
had contrived portable N-ray appa-
ratus. The new apparatus can be con-
structed for little money. Mr.. Edison
lnI6DuS TO SuOW IL at al SlcCtIiCai CA III
bition to be given in New York soon.
Tne new machine will permit hospi-
tai surgeons and physicians to examine
an injured limb and 10 see the interior
OF the arm or leg while using their iu-
struments in operation so that no un
necessary cutting or probing will be
done.
The new machine consists of double
tube vacuum pump attached 10 wood
en upright, the exhaust mercury pipe
running into small wooden box along
side the pump, in which the tube is
placed. The electric current is furnish
ed from an ordinary battery and induc-
ion coil under the box, or in any other
convenient place, and the wires leading
up through the bottom Of the box make
il impossible that the surgeon or patient
receive shock. The surgeon would
turn Oh the current and place the part
of the 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 sur
geon's eyes. When placed over the
eyes, the horoscope looks like large
pair of spectacles without lenses. The
outer end of the apparatus is Gov
cred with paper coated with
the tungstate OF calcium crys-
ais. The thin board cover of the box
offers no effective resistance to the pas
sage of the rays. and it would be pos
sble for the attending 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 removing foreign
substance or in setting o broken hone.
The tungstate of calcium is made for
Mr.. Edison by an Orange firm OF chem
lists, and when he secures a new sup
ply of the chemical he will continue
work on the large screen or huoro
scope, with which he hopes to be able
to see easily through all parts of the
head or body. Thus far Mr.. Edison
has perfected his tubes and horoscope
to such an extent that it is possible for
him to see through the tissues 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 expert
menting with the Roentgen rays he has
worked on an average twenty hours a
day and has spent thousands of dol
larS