New-York tribune., 1896-10-04
ARE Y RAYS DANGEROUS!
HARMFUL EFFECTS REPORTED IN SOME
CASES
AFFECTIONS OF THE SKIN WHICH HAVE BEEN
SUFFERED ny SOME PERSONS on WHOM
EXPERIMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.

EXPERIMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE
Is there danger in the R0n,gen rays. more popu-
larry known the y rays, and is there a risk OF
a chance OF injury I'm taking photographs Of vari-
parts OF the body? Ever since Professor
Rontgens discovery made known to the
world last January. constant experimenting has
been going in England. the Continent and in
this country. and OF late there have come reports
which make the question Of any possible danger
involved a peculiarly interesting 1t has been
by no means proved yet that these rays do any
harm 10 the tissues. for. engrossed in their ex-
perimcntnG. tho leading scientists have not found
the time study carefully and render a pro-
nounced opinion on this phase Of the new science
hut several articles have appeared in certain OF the
medical journals Introducing facts that make 1t
fairly certain that there is at least possibility OF
danger In the apparatus.
The suggestion made is that dermatitis and alo-
pecla that Is. skin diseases and badness. are.
under certain conditions. brought about by the
inhuerc Of the action OF these newly discovered
rays Several of this nature have been re-
ported the most Interesting OF which have been
given out in their details by Sidney Rowland. who
perhaps has done N-ray work than any
other man in England. Mr.. Rowland. 1t Is under
stood. simply mentions these cases as curious, ana
has not attempted to verify them scientifically, nor
does he guarantee the accuracy OF tn" reports
Communica tons have come from other sources. tell
ing OF like effects produced In photography. and II
proof is needed that there Is some definite discussion
among scientists in regard to the possible danger
there need only he insanccd this. that new dis
ea So has been set upon the books OF Materia Medca
and received the name of Dcrmatits Rontgeni.
Among those who have been particularly active
I'm this line OF experiment In this country Is Or.
William J. Morton. Of this city. He has carefully
collected information the subject from all
sources. and has just completed handbook giving
the results OF his Investigation and reproducing his
successful photographs. under the title OF THE
Ray: or. Photography Of the Invisible
In this little volume there IS no reference what
ever made To the dangers that lie in the R0nt
gen rays. but when Dr Morton was seen tho other
afternoon no showed number Of clippings filed
away under this particular head, and remarked that
n. was now beginning to give some attention to this
phase OF the subjcc. "It IL too carly yet TO deter
mine" he said. whether there is danger in the
ravs Whether they are harmful or not under cer-
tain conditions we cannot tell until We have far
moro data and far more instances than have been
reported up the present time. These Instances
are somewhat significant and certainly interesting.
Az YOU see | am beginning to make something OF a
study Il this particular end OF the subject Tesla
has argued that the rays do produce physiological
effects I'm the human fcaures-In the skin and eyes
,ha, they caus, innamm tton OF In" eyes and irri-
,ation OF the lids lie states that the y rays have
affected him and he Is OF the opinion that they
u,oduce "A feeling OF wearncss and lassitudc.