The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-05
DENTISTS AND ROENTGEN.
Prof Blake Speaks to Them and Ex-
hibits Shadowgraphs.

In the opinion of Prof. Lucien I. Blake
of the state university there is a great
future ahead of the Roentgen ray, but
even the powerful unknown quantity
of light is unable to pierce it and show
to the scientific world what is in store.
In his lecture on the Genesis of the
Roentgen Ray before the Kansas
State Dental association last night,
Prof. Blake took occasion to emphati-
cally state that the x-ray was but yet
in its infancy, and that the most start
ling scientific developments of future
years might be expected as the result
of Prof. Roentgen's discovery
Il think the X-rays are now produced
in such a manner that we do not get
the best effects from them," said Prof
Blake last night. "HOW to produce
them in a better manner I don't know
and no one else has yet discovered, but
that this discovery will be made, and
that the x-rays will play a far more
important part than they do today, or
than many scientists have any idea
they will, is certain
In his lecture Prof. Blake dealt all
most exclusively with the origin of the
Roentgen ray, describing fully the man.
ner in which the rays were produced
To give his auditors better idea of
the method of production, Prof. Blake
used illustrations on blackboard. He
stated that when Prof. ROentgen made
the discovery of the wonderful shaft of
light he was at a loss what to call it,
and named it the ''x-ray,'' using the
algebraic sign for the unknown guam
tity.
After telling the dental gentlemen all
about the family affairs of the Roent-
gen ray, Prof. Blake entertained them
for a half an hour by Showing shadow
graphs of different portions of the hu-
man body. One of these views was tax
en- especially for the lecture before the
dentists and consisted Of a ShadOwgrap ph
OF a human head, in which the teeth
could be plainly distinguished. Aside
from the scientific beauty, the view
contained none other, and the man who
sat for it might be readily excused if
he became hysterical a sight of it
Prof. Blake held the shadowgraph be-
fore the audience, and requested each
one to note that the view was some
thing as near a living skeleton as could
be seen. There was nothing the mat
ter with this man." said Prof. Blake,
although the view would probably i'm
press a person with the idea that his
condition is dangerous. What you see
before you is a correct representa- ton
of the head of a prominent society man
such as we have in Lawrence
And then the dentists, gazing at the
phOtOgra phic outlines of a mans head,
without nose and with indentiOns for
eyes, took a few minutes off and laugh
ed at the expense of the society men Of
Lawrence.
Among a number of other shadow
graphs shown by Prof Blake was one
of a lady's foot, taken to locate a bull
let. rs that life-size?'' called out one
the shadowgraph to full view of his aud
ience. Certainly not replied Prof
Blake, this is much larger than life
size; this is lady's foot"
Prof. Blake was applauded for his
witty answer, and in this appIau the
lady members of the association Joined
more heartily than any of the others.
On the whole Prof. Blake'S lecture
was thoroughly entertaining to the den
lists, and formed one of the best fea-
lures of the present meeting.