The herald., 1896-02-11
Investigating the Properties Of
the Cr0Oke Tubes
NOT MUCH ACCOMPLISHED
The Nature of the Rays Being Not
Yet Known
Today Attempts viii Be Made to photographs
Mans Brain Through the
Roof Of His Mouth

Associated Press Special Wire.
ORANGE, N. j., Feb. 1O.-Thomas A.
Edison was hard at work all day in his lab
oratory in West Orange preparing for his
experiment of photographing the human
body and brain with the aid of the newly
discovered rays. With the aid of mercury
pumps he labored assiduously on Crooke's
tubes of his own manufacture. To the
mouth of each tube a long glass tube was
attached, and through this, by means of .
connecting tube in the side, the mercury
was run and the air in the Crooke's tube
was gradually exhausted by the mercury.
Surrounded by score or more of report
ers and other visitors, Mr.. Edison sat for
hours watching the progress of the work,
and he displayed a wonderful amount Of
patience when, after repeated trials,
the desired result was not obtained.
Again and again the efforts were re-
peated and Mr.. Edison explained to the
reporters that he was trying to see whether
the rays were longitudinal etheric vibra-
tions going straight out into space or local
magnetic waves circulating from one cleo
trode to tho other in the tube through the
air in the immediate locality, being purely
local in influence. He was desirous of
finding the degree of vacuum in a tube
which would give the best effect of the
rays. In another experiment today he
caused the rays to pass through piece OF
steel one-half of an inch thick. He also
found that the mysterious rays were
capable of penetrating bit OF cardboard,
piece of celluloid and a half-nch strip of
steel combined, leaving the plate uniform
ly black. Had the rays not penetrated tho
steel, the plate would naturally have been
black in the place where the steel was in-
terposed. He secured similar results sew
eral times with equal precision.
In regard to this proposed attempt at
photographing the human brain, the rep
resentative of the Associated Press asked
Mr.. Edison if there would be any danger
of the subjects suffering any physical in
Jury from the rays which would necessars'
lily be forced through his head, as it had
been suggested that spark of electricity
from the tube might cause some injury to
the nervous system.
Mr.. Edison replied: ''No; the subject
would be in no danger whatever, as there
is no amperage in the rays in the tube
and it is the amperage that works the
HARM" ,
Tomorrow he will try to photograph see-
tions of the head only, by placing spall
film which is the plate. inclosed in celluioid
covers, in the mouth of the subject with
the plate facing the palate. The rays from
the t1uorescent bGlb electrode will then be
directed SO as to penetrate the skull and
strike the plate at the desired angle. After
this another plate similarly inclosed in cell
lulod covers will be placed in the subjects
mouth. facing the right or left side of the
head, and the rays will be placed accord
ingly. This, in Mr.. Edison's opinion,
should warrant a successful negative, as
the rays would only have to pass through
one thickness of the skull, and if the result
is satisfactory he will try to photograph
the entire head with the plate resting at tho
back and the rays penetrating the face,
and also the subject lying on his side, to
have the rays penetrate from the right or
left with the plate on the opposite side.
The Squadron Sailed
LONDON, Feb. lO.-The Hying SQUADRON