The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-07
LIGHT PENETRATEs WOOD
Marvellous Results from Experiments
With ROcnt9en'S Discovery.
PHOrOGRApH or A MANS HAND
Rones Arc Sharply Defined and There
Is Suggestion Of COIor-Ex peri.
0ents with o Dead Rabbit.
Wood Is Also Penetrated.

New Haven, Conn, Feb 6-When
Arthur w. Wright, of Yale university,
first heard about the discovery Of
Roentgen, he wanted to hurry directly
TO Sloane laboratory to begin expert
ments. But II was so late that he
waited until next daythewaited until tn
waited until the next day, and then he
made probably the first cathode photo
graph In this country. That was on
January ~.
All Of the experiments have been re-
markably successful. but last night he
secured results that are truly marvel
Gus. Professor Wright has made
photograD Dh of his own hand. u will
impress scientists. delight photogra PHI
ers and make the laymen feel rather
uncomfortable. For that photograph
shows every bone In the professors left
hand with perfect distinctness. The
shading OF the flesh which the light
rays pierced. Is most curious. There is
shadOwy effect. u certin suggestion
OF color. but the bones are defined
sharply. The negative shows lines
which suggest tendons. but there Is 10
nistaking the bones. The photograph
IS little less distinct than if it We're
That OF Il skeleton of Il hand, taken. in
the ordinary way.
Rays from the Negative Pole.
Professor Wright uses Rhumorff
Induction coil about fourteen. inches
long and five inches in diameter The
corrent is supplied by five Julian sec
ondary batteries. The poles OF the
coil are attached to u Crooke's tube.
That which Professor Wright uses
Is shaded something like very large
sweet potato. At one end Is the mega
tive pole. The positive pole is at one
side. There is the least possible air
In Crookes tube. An ordinary
vacuum tube doesn't compare with 1t.
Professor Wright found that the
most satisfactory ray came from using
the rays from the negative pole. The
positive pole, with Its disc. keeps the
rays from scattering. Professor
Wright uses an ordinary sensitive dry
plare. which is kept in 4 case such as
is always used: for these cathode rays
photograph right through the okno-
mite protector, The case is laid on q
table. with the Crooke's tube directly
over it, and the object is laid on the
case cover of rubber.
What Professor Wright Saws.
II have found that the best results
are obtained by having the tube some
distance from the object. even six or
seven inches" said Professor Wright
today. This makes a longer exposure
necessary. but the results are much
more satisfactory. There are certain
SubStuu'tS NIlliH tIit' tdlutut rays VIII
pierce; others they Will not penetrate.
MY first experiment was reasonably
successful and within two days / was
able to understand the working of the
rays as well as ] do now. The first
things l learned We're about the dis
tance Of the tube from the article. the
greater value of rays from the mega
tive pole and the long time necessary
to develop the plate. Within two days
/ made very successful photograph
through pine board a half inch thick.
THE cathode rays penetrate wood
very easily. IN this case the photo
graph shows the card in the pocket
book and the coins distinctly. But my
later experiments have been much
more Successful. Here Is finished
photograph. which shows that the light
penetrates the wooden handles of tools
and shows the metal shanks. The pc
ture of my eye glasses is exceptionally
Interesting, for II shows that while
leather offers almost no resistance 10
the new light, IL cannot penetrate glass
readily.
Experiments with n Rabbit.
''The experiment with the rabbit was
not wholly successful. because I hap.
pened to have q bad plate, but it shows
what can be done
"The interior Of that dead rabbit was
laid bare apparently This rabbit was
covered with heavy fur, and 1t seems
impossible that light could go through
him. But il did. And his ribs. the
bones In his legs and his backbone are
visible in the negative.
1T Is Il very fine thing. this discov-
cry" said Prof. Wright. Look at this
photograph Of my hand | have a
thick. solid. full-blooded hand; yet the
bones are shown with great distinct
Aess. How easy ii would be for sur
gecp to see If any of the bones We're in
jured. The new photography must be
perfected. of course, and then it will
make revolution