The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-08
KILLS BACILLl LIFE.
Value Of the ROcntgen Rny..Nikols
Tesla Believes That the New Agent
May BE Used to Project Chemicals
Into Any Portion of the Body.

New York. July 3l.-That Roentgen
rays moving material particles, having
an appreciable effect on human tissues
and organs, and that they may likelv
be used as a means to destroy disease
bacilli, Is a conclusion that Nikola Tesla
has arrived at as the result of his ex-
periments. But he awaits crucial tests
before positively announcing his con-
clusion as a scientific fact. Mr.. Tesla
was found IN his laboratory. He was
very busy, but he found time to answer
the several questions put to him as to
the effect of Y rays on physical health
and bacilli life. He said:
I'm my attempts to contribute my
humble share to further knowledge OF
the properties of the ROentgen rays L
am finding more and more evidence in
support of the theory of moving mate
rial particles. 1t Is not my intention,
however, to advance just now any view
as to the bearing of such fact upon the
present theory of light. but ] merely
seek to establish the fact of the exist
ence of such material streams, in so far
, as the isolated effects are concerned. 1
have already a great many indications
Of a movement occurring outside of the
bulb from which the rays emanate, and
l am arranging crucial tests, which
hope will be successful, and which will
prove whether or not / am right In my
conclusions. Now. If these material
streams are impinging themselves
against substances toward which they
are directed. 1t is natural that some ef-
feet should follow the contact. 1t is not
unreasonable to say that organs and
tissues may be affected. We often read
i'm reports made by experimentalists
that human hair has fallen out from
the effect of frequent use of the ravs,
and l have myself noted that effect In
my experiments.
Il have also noticed that when work.
ing with highly strained bulbs i fire.
quently experience a sudden. and some-
times even painful, shock in the eye.
Such shocks may occur so often that
the eye gets inflamed; and one cannot
be considered overcautious if he abb
stains from watching the bulb too close
ly. These shocks are to me further evil
dence of larger particles being thrown
off from the bulb. If these conclusions,
which seem to be forced on me by the
experience coming from experiment,
are correct, 1t may be that the rays have
an effect on bacilli. Professor Roent-
gen himself has announced it as his
firm belief that bacilli can be destroyed
by the rays, and his experiments war;
rant his conclusion. Yet we must walt
patiently to hear from those who are
investigating in this direction before
formulating scientific conclusions.
1.-THE theory of material particles and
the theory that the rays affect the hui
man system are borne out by my own
further experience in the laboratory
here. BY exposing the head to a power
full radiation. strange effects have been
noted. For instance, I find that there
is tendency to sleep, and the time seems
to pass away quickly. There is a gen.
eral soothing effect. and / have felt
sensation of warmth in the upper part
of my head. An assistant experienced
identically the same sensations as my
self. Should these remarkable effects
be verified by men with keener sense Of
observation, shall still more firmly be-
lieve in the existence of material
streams penetrating the skull. Thus it
may be possible by these strange appli-
ances to project a suitable chemical into
any part of the body"