Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-02-13
BATHING IN ELecTRlc LIGHT.
MANI AILMENTS CAN BE BAMsHED
PROM sUrFERER's BoDr.

Il has been found that there are many
painful ailments which, when acted upon
by electric heat and light rays, are COM
pletely bsnished from the sufferers
body. Strong electric light IL thrown
on to the seat Of suffering; the patient
basks In . bath Of light and heat, expe-
riencing nothing but pleasant sensations,
and, In most cases, 40 immediate and
comforting sense Of relief from pain.
The apparatus which enables patients
to battle In electric light 10 extremely
simple. To an adjustable stand are fitted
two large copper or nickel-plated reflect
ors, which can be moved In any direc-
ton. II patient Ii lying In bed, reflect.
ors are placed on either side, adjusted 10
the exact position for locating the rays
where desired. On the rejecting surfaces
are the electric lamps, which radiate the
luminous heat rays. The heat may be
regulated by varying the distance OF the
refiectors, or the number OF lamps, or
BY means of special regulator which
controls the electric current. Those
parts Of the body, such IS the srmpits
or shoulders, which It would be impos-
sible to treat locally with other arrange
ments, are easily dealt with by the new
system.
When the patient II In the right posi-
ton, and he is comfortably settled Che
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 considerable intensity
are Immediately produced. In a few
ho fbar IN n, afar xn-ul v.ut.t..
800 degrees Fahrenheit. l have seen
patients chatting cheerfully, and expe-
riencing no Inconvenience, while IN at
fected limb has been exposed to heat
rays at a temperature OF 400 degrees. 1t
might be supposed that such heat
would roast limb. Undoubtedly there
would be- evil results we're It not for the
important fact that dry heat Ia employ
ed, which evsporates Precipitation as
soon rs II appears on the body.
The baths usually LAST forty minutes,
or IN hour, and It IL TO this prolonged
application OF the brilliant light and the
intense hest, bearsble under no other
circumstances, thst the marvellous re-
suits are mainly due. The rays may be
applied In three ways: They may be- d.
rectly applied to the body without heat
Ing the surrounding air; they may be
partially screened, so that they fall only
on one spot, "a on an arm, or hand; or
they may be diffused, and caused TO heat
the air surrounding the patient. As =
rule, better results are obtained when q
complete body bath Is taken, even when
the ailment TO be treated IL only In one
limb or joint.
The result of the bath IL that q free
Precipitation breaks out over the whole
body, even when the rays are applied
only locally; at the same time the body
temperature IL raised as much as one,
ical effect hitherto regarded rs impos-
sible. There IL an increased circulation
OF the blood; the pulse increases In fire.
quency, and slso the respiration, but y
few minutes after the bath pulse, respi-
ration and temperature return to their
normal or previous condition-shile an
hour later the pnlse IL found To be slow
or and stro ger than ever before, espe-
cislly in the case Of patients with weak
hearts. With painful Affections, the pain
Is almost Immediately relieved on the
application OF the rays. After the bath
the whole body Is briskly rubbed with
dry towel, and perhaps msssAged-snd
the patient rises from his bed new
man.
The popularity OF the heat supplied by
the electric lamps Ia that the rays re-
quire no medium, but may be rAdiated
directly on to the body, even through q
glass screen, or Ia q vacuum. The air
surrounding the bsther may be freezing,
yet the body would still be warmed by
the radiation from the electric lamps.
In all other baths of similar character
air as q medium 10 necessary In apply
ing the heat to the body.
The electric light rays 40 closely re-
semble the suns rays that they will
cause sunburn and freckles when direct
ed for any length OF time on the uncov-
cred 81 10. This discovery Is full OF pos
sibilities-no doubt there are slaves Of
the desk, Who, when It becomes gener-
ally kbo~n, will take electric beat and
light baths for the sake Of gaining a
complexion which may compare favor
ably With yschtman's, after u long
cruise In the tropics.-Pearson's Maya
zine.