Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-20

BODY, and also how to cure and pre-
vent them. Whether the invisible,
materialize is another question.
With bodies transparent writes
DR.. GradenWitz, "all the details of ev-
cry structure, blood vessels, tissues,
nerves and everything else that makes
~ the human anatomy could be easily
studied under every phase of health
and pain.
The proportion of reflected light
reaches 4 minimum and the light that
penetrates into the interior is at
maximum when each index of re-
fraction of the two substances is equal.
this case thus corresponds TO the max
imum or transparency This is why
plate of ground glass becomes more
nearly transparent in contact with an
Gil and altogether transparent when
1t is plunged into liquid having the
same index of refraction as glass
THESE simple laws have been long
employed to determine the induces of
refraction of inorganic substances. For
organic bodies (animal or vegetaEle),
whore the conditions are considerably
more complicated, it has not hitherto
been thought possible to utilize them.
''These bodies, even in their simplest
forms, are composed of different sorts
of tissue, embracing an infnity of mi
crosopically small elements whose
different kinds may, and probably do.
have equally different kinds of power
of refraction. This is why not only
the surface of the human body, but
also that of each element taken by it.
self. reflects light so that the proper
ton of light that traverses the body
is insignificant. if il exists at all.
Although it is consequently inn
possible to have a substance whose in
deN Of refraction equals those of the
different parts of u live creature,
Prof w. Spaiteholz, of the Univer-
slty of Leipsic. has made the interest
ing discovery that, without satisfying
this theoretic condition. organic bodies
may perfectly well be rendered trans
parent. There exists for each tissue,
each organ and each animal an aver
age index of refEaction such that in
practice Transparency may be attained.
This index is intermediate among
those of the, different tissues. When
an organ is thrust into liquid pos
sessing this average index and be-
comes impregnated with it the maxi
mum possible transparency is realized.
In the body thus rendered transparent
each component that has an index
differing from the average VIII ap-
pear more or less distinctly.
These contrasts may be accumulated
by difference of color. Thus when
bodies are rendered transparent pN
this process we are enabled TO recoS-
nize the finest details many times
finer than in the reciograms or faoios-
copy) on the other hand this process
presents the advantage of furnishing
instead of a reproduction the anato-
mieal preparation itself, which may
be observed from all sides.
The volatile oils lend themselves
best to the process. because OF their
great (chemicaD indifference ana their
inaltera bility.
Prof. Spalteholz prefers the methp-
lie ether of salcylic acid and beh2oate |
of benzyl BY mixing these TWO ilquius
in variable proportions we may rem
der transparent any anatomical prep
aration whatever. In order 10 give 10
the exterior surface OF the iquia d
form as regular as possible, the nodN |
is introduced into rectangular YES
sci of polished glass In animals SO |
treated there may be perfectly DIS
tinguished the position OF the bones
the brain. the heart, etc, while by va
rying the index of refracuon any oe-
sired tissue may be accentuatea ana
others caused to disappear,
THE reflective index Of given us
sue has, it would appear relatioh 10
the age of the animal. This index is
in fact, lower as the creature is
Younger. Very beautiful and instruc-
tive preparations are obtained os III
jecting into the blood Vesseis eoioi,,is
matters that make it possible to dls-
tinousb very clearly the distribution |
OF these vessels. BY injecting Wood
metal into the labyrinth or coiorng
the calcerous cells of the bones, we