FINSEN LIGHT, Finsen ray, blue light, actinic ray, violet and ultra-violet ray, light cure. The Finsen Light takes its name from its dis coverer, Niels R. Finsen, who discovered that the actinic rays, those represented in the blue, indigo, violet and ultra-violet sections of the solar spectrum, possess strong bactericidal power, and when concentrated and applied, they will destroy bacteria in five or six minutes.
While the bactericidal features of the violet rays were known experimentally in 1877, lack ing the scientific basis, believing the discovery to be a cure-all, tithe blue light" was laughed at as quackery. It remained for Finsen to make a practical application of the facts in treating certain diseases previously supposed to be in curable. The Finsen Light is a large, specially constructed arc lamp of 40,000 candle power, or 40 times stronger than an ordinary arc street lamp, and uses from 60 to 80 amperes of current of 110 voltage. This lamp burns a specially made carbon. In the upper holder is a large carbon, while a smaller one is used in the bottom holder. When properly adjusted for arcing, a maximum number of violet and ultra-violet rays are produced. The light from this lamp is so intense it is impossible to look at it wit the naked eye, and it is necessary for all it attendants and patients to wear smoked glass while the lamp is in operation. An alum= hood about two feet wide surrounds the lam which hood is fringed on its lower border ar a deep crimson-colored paper skirt to funk aid in excluding the diffused light from patient. The concentrated rays are carried fro
the arc to the patient through four tubes, known as converging tubes, suspen& at an angle of 45 degrees. Each tube contar a series of rock crystal lenses, which are vr. expensive, but are used because they absorb greater amount of heat rays, but do not into fere with the passing of chemical rays. The rock cystal lenses are so arranged that reserve; for running water exist between them.
means of these water screens and the roe crystal lenses, all rays but the violet are elk nated. These rays are converged, and filtered, thus vastly increasing the hea1:-. and bactericidal effects. The heat from original arc is so intense, that to prevent eras ing of the lenses a stream of cold water is kr-.. constantly circulating through the upper rex' voirs or water screens. To further and cool the rays a compressor is which consists of two rock crystal lenses so 2: ranged in a brass band that a chamber running water exists between them. This r,;. of the apparatus is used to compress the fected area and make it bloodless during Sr. ment, which facilitates deeper penetratios. the red blood corpuscles have a tendency' obstruct or absorb the actinic rays. See FISiE