New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-10
GREAT AID TO MEDICINE.
POSSIBLE RESULTS FROM THE USE OF
THE NEW RADIANCE.
LOCATION OF DISEASED TISSUE WITHIN THE
RANGE OF PROBABILITY-TAI>KS WITH
DR. WILLIAM j. MORTON AND PRO


RANGE OF PRoBABILITY-TAIKs WITH
DR. WILLIAM j. MORTON AND PRO
FEssCR PUPIN.
DR. William j. Morton whose interesting en-
periments with the new radiance were eXclu-
sively described in Yesterdays Tribune. talked
yesterday with Tribune reporter upon the pos
sbties of the discovery in the field OF physics.
1.-The discovery" he said. is Of the greatest I'M
portance to the entire civilized community us
possible uses In medicine are manifold ana lor
my own part am firmly Of the opinion 'ha' we
shall eventually be able to apply the Use OF ms
radiance TO the localization especially Of Gis-
eased tissue in the human body. Moreover. 1t is
going to prove valuable in the localization Of
metallic objects embedded in the body may eN-
plain that morbid products in the human sys-
tenn such as the constitution Of tumors, or when
are incidental 10 the existence or tuMOIs-lOT
instance. pus and other organic debrs--are un-
doubtedly denser than live tissue. and for tina;
reason will obs:ruct radiation exactly, though
perhaps IN lesser degree. as do the metal o.
Jects which have been mainly used in the expert
ments with these rays. This IS. in fact, one OF
the reasons why I expect the new form Of pho
tography will become serviceabe 10 the practice
of medicine.
HIGHER DEVELOPMENTS POSSIBLE.
AS to the outlining of the internal organs by
a cathodograph | am confident that this will
be found to be practicable in the future when the
theories have been more fully developed. 1t
would be idle to suppose that what has already
been accomplished in the photography Of the I'M
seen is the furthes limit possible of attainment;
assuredly ii will be carried 10 a point OF per-
lection at some no, very far distant time. In
my own experiments even thus far can easily
detect radiation several feet away. and with
powerful apparatus. and consequently more pow
erful radiatlons there is no knowing to what
extreme perfection every detail in the density
of the tissue of the human body may be re-
fected. No. We may consider ourselves as yet
only at the beginning OF this work"
Asked his opinion to whether, bones Icing
opaque. 1t was likely 10 be possible to OBJ
tain impr, ssiors Of the interior Of The skull pr.
Morton replied Yes l think we shall find way
t. surrlorn; tina; difficulty. But If It should
really be found impossible. the rays might be di-
lect.d through the eyes. behind which the bone
is very thin r. through the roof of the mouth,
where also the covering is extremely thin. Fur
thermore. IL is known that metallic object Ike
q bullet leaves a black impression on sensitive
plate when exposed to the radiation as does
also bone 80. If II is granted that two layers
OF bone will leave black impression. II must
also be granted as a natural following that If
bullet be added to the thickness of the bone In
question the impression will be denser still. and
its locality easily determined upon The effects
Of these rays in the uses OF medicine will un-
doubtedly he more far-reaching than we have
any idea of al present. In many things | have
been sceptica: in this | optimist. Why.
II we had known Of the properties of these rays
when President Garfield was shot. the exact To-
~ he would been readily
found, II what is related of Professor R0ntgens
actual experiments is true"
GOOD PLACE TO EXPERIMENT.
Dr. Morton, in the matter of apparatus, Is emf
nently well placed for the prosecution Of his
experiments His laboratory. which he also uses
as his private sanctum. is literally crowded with
electrical machines and appliances. and in the
recesses of his laboratory DR.. Morton has made
researches in the application OF electricity to
medical purposes that have brought him graft
flying reputation among the members Of his pro-
fession He has read many valuable papers be-
fore scientific gatherings on his studies in cleo
tricty. and is also constant contributor to the
publications devoted to this subject. one result
of Dr. MortOn's experiments is that like Edison
and Professor Pupin he has succeeded in in
disputaby proving that Crookes tubes are BY
no means necessary for the production OF photo
graphs by the newly found radiating energy
DR. Morton is devoting himself with great as
eiduity to his experiments. and confidently an
tiCipates improving considerably the results that
have hitherto been obtained. although he admits
Il may take time before anything like perfec
ton is achieved. H. agrees with Professor Trow-
bridge that the ~ rays are "cantankerOus"
and require delicate handling and perfect under
standing
Professor Pupn is also continuing an elaborate
series Of experiments ct Columbia College. Most
OF these operations have been made with the
fuorescent plate which DIR. Pupin recently in
troduced into his work The results with this
plate have been of an extremely satisfact tory
character. the outlines OF the pictures so gained
c1A
last DR.. Pupln attended by invitation a confer
ence of the faculty Of the College of Physicians
and Surgeons for the purpose Of describing the
properties Of the new radiance and its possible
in connection with medicine. The
ference was private but DR.. Pupin said yester-
day that after hearing him the meeting adj
Journed without any expression Of opinion on the
part OF any member Of the college. He added
that 1t was the evident intention Of the faculty
TO await the results OF his work az Columbia
College before investigating the matter further.