The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-04-28

application being made is the medical
or surgical. All the laboratories
throughout America and Europe are
busy with it, and fresh developments
are being announced almost daily.
The Rontgen rays are certain invisi-
bic rays resembling, in many respects,
rays of light, which are set free when
high pressure electric current is dis
charged through a vacuum tube. A
vacuum tube is a glass tube from
which all the air, down to one-mil-
lionth of an atmosphere, has been ex-
hausted after the insertion of a plati-
nun wire in either end of the tube, for
connection with the two poles of bat
terry or induction coil. When the dis
charge is sent through the tube. there
proceeds from the anode-that is, the
wire which is connected with the posi-
tive pole of the battery-certain bands
OF light, varying in color with the color
OF the glass. But these are insignifi-
cant in comparison with the brilliant
glow which shoots from the cathode, or
negative wire. This glow excites bril-
liant phosphorescence in glass and
many substances. Prof. Rontgen dis
covered that during the discharge 9TH
er rays are set free. which differ great
~ from those described by Lenard as
cathode rays The most marked diff
ference between the two is the fact
that Rontgen rays are not DETECTED by
q magnet, indicating very essential
difference, while their range and pene-
trative power are incomparably great
er. Exactly what kind of force has
thus been discovered no one at present
is able TO decide. We only know them
as Y rays. But the key in the hands of
the scientist must turn the lock of mys-
terry little further, and human knowl
edge become exact upon the point
The most striking thing at present
in this new photography is that it can
penetrate flesh. Its power of penetra-
ting purse or pocket to show what
is enclosed within is striking enough,
but at present such feat is but like
the photograph; it has little practical
utility. But the power to penetrate
flesh is practical. We can see some in
slant good that may come from it. In
AoNNr AASloAN SOOQ AdS COllC llOH II.
In Berlin, not only new bone fractures
are being Immediately photographed,
but joined fractures, as well, in order
to examine the results of recent sur
gical work. In Vienna, imbedded bull
lets are photographed, not probed for.
In London, sailor completely para
lyzed, and whose injury was mystery,
was saved by photographing an object
imbedded in his spine. This proved to
be a small knife-blade Prof. Czermark
of Graz has photographed the living
skull, and is now at work upon brain
study; and Thomas A. Edison feels
assured that he will be able to photo
graph the human brain and even show
the fluctuations of thought. Prof. Neu-
sur, in Vienna, has photographed gall
stones in the liver of one patient and
stone in the bladder of another.
Some of the latest photographs taken
by aid of the X rays are given in the
plate accompanying this article. They
We're taken by Dr. Robb, Professor of
Physics at Trinity College, Hartford
The Crooke's tubes used were larger
than ordinary, being pear-shaped and
eight inches long by four inches broad
in the widest part. Figure l shows the
bony structures of the body of fish,
photographed through the flesh Fig
ure shows razor photographed
through the leather case, and the bone
handle. Figure gives the skeleton of
a frog, also photographed through the
6esh.