The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-28
BATHING In ELECTRIC LIGHT.
Tremendous Heat Endured without
Physical Discomfort.
Parsons Magazine.

1t has been found that there are many
painful ailments which, when acted upon
by electric heat and light rays, are COM
pletely banished from the sufferers body.
Strong electric light is thrown on to the
seat Of suffering; the patient basks In a
bath of light and heat, experiencing moth
Ing but pleasant sensations, and, in most
cases. an immediate and comforting sense
of relief from pain.
The apparatus which enables patients to
battle In electric light Is extremely simple.
To an adjustable stand are fitted two large
copper or nickel-plated refiectors, which
can be moved in any direction. IL patient
is lying in bed refiectors are placed on either
side, adjusted to the exact position for To-
cation of the brilliant light and the intense
fiecting surfaces are the electric lamps,
which radiate the luminous heat rays. The
heat may be regulated by varying the dis
tance of the refectors, or the number of
lamps, or by means of a special regulator
which controls the electric current. Those
parts of the body, such as the armpits or
shoulders, which it would be impossible to
treat locally with other arrangements are
easily dealt with by the new system.
When the patient is in the right position
and is comfortably settled (he may be fully
clothed or covered with blankets without
affecting the power of the rays) the current
is turned on, and heat and light of consid-
cradle intensity are Immediately produced.
In a few moments the thermometer will
register 300 degrees F. 1 have seen pa
tients chatting cheerfully and experience
ing no inconvenience while an affected
limb has been exposed to heat rays at
a temperature Of 400 degrees F. 1t might be
supposed that such heat as this would
roast a limb. Undoubtedly there would be
evil results were it not for the important
fact that dry heat is employed, which evap-
crates perspiration as soon as IL appears on
the body.
The baths usually last for forty minutes
or an hour, and 1T is to this prolonged appli-
cation of the brilliant light and the intense
heat bearable under no other circum-
stances. that the marvellous results are
mainly due. The rays may be applied in
three ways-they may be directly applied
to the body without heating the surround
ing air; they may be partially screened,
so that they fall only on one spot. as on
an arm or hand or they may be dinused
and caused to heat the air surrounding the
patient AS a rule better results are OBJ
tanned when a complete body bath is taken,
even when the ailment to be treated Is only
In one limb or joint.
TIE result of the bath is that a free per-
spiration breaks out over the whole body,
even when the rays are applied only To-
Cally; at the same time the body tempera-
ture is raised as much as one, two. or even
three degrees, a physiological effect hither-
to regarded as impossible. There Is an in
creased circulation of the blood; the pulse
increases in frequency, and also the respir-
atior, but a few minutes after the bath.
pulse, respiration and temperature return
TO their normal or previous condition
while All hour later the pulse Is found to
be slower and stronger than before. espe-
cially in the case of patients with weak
hearts With painful Affections. the pain
is almost Immediately relieved on the APP
plication of the rays. After the bath the
whole body Is briskly rubbed with dry
towel. and perhaps massaged-and the pa
Iient rises from his bed. a new man.
The popularity of the heat supplied by
the electric lamps is that the rays require
medium, but may be radiated directly
on 10 the body. even through a glass
screen. or i'm a vacuum. The air surround
ing the bather may he freezing, yet the
body would still be warmed by the radia-
ton from the electric lamps. In other
baths of similar character air as medi-
nm is necessary in applying the heat to
the body.
The electric light rays so closely resemble
the suns rays that they wilt cause sun
burn and frecklek when directed for any
length of time on the uncovered Skin This
discovery is full Of possibiliues-no doubt
there are slaves OF the desk. who. when
il becomes generally known. will take cleo
trio heat and light baths for the sake of
gaining n complexion which may compare
favorably with ys1chtman's. after long
cruise in the tropics.