The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-16
POWER OF THE x RAY
An Interesting Experiment Conducted
by DR.. Spelman.
WONDER AND ADMIRATION
Negatives Procured After a Brief
Time-Other physicians Say
They VIII Euy Tubes and
Try Their Luck.

Ever since the announcement of the
discovery of Roentgen's X Ray process
of photography, DR.. Spelman of this
city and Hermann Thofehrn have been
experimenting with this mysterious
force. Though they had a powerful
current at the refinery, IL was not of
the right sort, and the results were far
from satisfactory.
While attending the convention of the
Medical association in Helena last
week, DR.. Spelman was able to get the
induction current desired, and conduct
ed an experiment there before the asso-
citation, of which the Independent gave
the following account:
THE experiment with the Crookes
tubes was conducted with Professor
Hayden. teacher of the sciences at the
Helena High school, as the subject of
the test was to be made on the hand of
human being. DR.. Spelman, the retir-
ing president. who has done some work
in that line before, actively superin-
tended the arrangements.
THE apparatus consisted of a Ruhm-
korf induction coil, a storage battery of
two two-volt chambers, and the Crooke
I tube. The latter was not the long one
of small diameter that has bene used
popularity ever since the discovery was
made, but 1T was of globular form. Two
NHtS ltdu 10 the tuDe, lnt DOSlllNt, OF
anode, entering at the top, and the neg
alive, or cathode. entering at one side,
each being connected with a platinum
plate within. The tube, DIR. Spelman ex-
planned, had been exhausted to a mil
lionth of an atmosphere. There was
some trouble in securing a battery
strong enough to produce a sufficient
spark, but at length that was accom-
plished And when all was in readiness
and the wires were connected to the
battery. the light that appeared in the
tube excited the wonder and admiration
OF the spectators, among whom were
the members of the association and a
number of High school students.
1T was a light that a student of color
could not describe. 1t was a yellowish
green, nearly the color that a lemon
would be short time before it had at
tained it's full development on the tree.
The yellow predominated, but the green
was bright and clear. although not so
continuous nor so strong. When the
room was darkened so that the light
was more clearly visible a green spray
appeared which seemed to be like
the branches of a tree, and II came
and went as the spark varied in inten-
sity.
AT either side of the tube the sub
tects of the operation were placed. on
one side was plate covered, on which
rested set of keys. a 25-cent piece and
folding rule. covered with a sheet of
paper which excluded the direct opera
ton of the rays. On the other side sat
Professor Hayden. his hand resting on
the cover of the plate, wearing a gold
ring, to further test the efficiency of
the process. II was tiresome work for
Professor Hayden. for he was required
to sit there without moving from one
position more than three-quarters of
hnnr hrlf ~ a In he int
OF science, and he said he didn't mind il
at all.
The plates, so Photographer w. II.
Taylor, who aided in the experiment
said, were 26xSteede dry plates of As
senstometers. If they had been ex-
posed they would have captured view
instantaneously. But the Crooke tube
goes more into details. and IL took 40
minutes for the plates to receive the
impression that way. The cover of the
plate was removed, and the impression
was taken through a thickness of wood
of an eighth of an inch. They were pre-
pared with the usual gelatine film.
1t Is not that green light that does
the work. said Dr. Spelman, we know
that But when you ask me what 1t is
you have me. / don't know. No one
knows. 1t is something which seems
to have connection with the green
rays; some light that is unseen, If you
Will That is why / believe the name |
they are popularity known by is so APP
The term Y is used to desig- |
nate an unknown quantity. Those rays |
are yet unknown
Nevertheless the experiment was |
successful, as far as IL went The neg
ative of the keys and the 25-cent piece |
and the rule, was as good as could have |
been asked for through a thickness of |
paper and a plate cover. The hand was |
hardly exposed long enough, and only |
the outlines of the bones and the ring |
on Professor Hayden's hand were WISH |
BILE. IL the exposure had been made |
longer. DR.. Spelman and Mr.. Taylor |
agreed, there would have been a better |
impression.
But the operation was interesting /
and instructive and when DR.. Spelman /
told the physicians that he had obtain |
ed a tube for SO there were many who |
said they would send for them and try
for themselves to learn more about the |
force"