by L. Leonidow
A few years ago, a chance discovery changed the fate of Semion Kirlian, a well-established inhabitant of Krasnodar. For decades this modest mechanic had repaired, tested and improved electrical apparatus and installations. Suddenly one day he made the observation that if you touch with your fingers light-sensitive paper within the force-field of high-frequency currents, the paper will show traces of zig-zag shaped and other lines, as well as dots. On doing research into the archives, you can find information to the effect that mysterious traces of the same kind have already been observed in former times. However, no one had followed up these phenomena. No one had attempted to explain them let alone to put them to practical use. They had simply fallen into oblivion. S. Kirlian had an inkling that his observations were worthy of serious consideration. Together with his wife, Valentina Kirlian, a pedagogue and journalist, he started experiments.
PROTUBERANCES AT THE FINGERS
As is well-known, the atmosphere of our planet is charged with electricity. Everything on our planet is surrounded by an electrical field. How are the electric charges distributed over the surface of the bodies? How is the distribution determined? By the contours of the objects? Or perhaps by their own electrical condition, their internal physico-chemical processes? What benefit can we finally derive from the know-ledge of these minute effects?
The answer to the problem is only possible if a process is discovered by which the images of 'electric life' can be rendered visible to nature and made permanent. The usual photographic methods are unsuitable.
The proper meaning of photography is 'writing with light'. Nowadays, however, there is a scientific and technical method of photography without light, viz, by means of invisible infra-red radiation and x-rays. To put the observed phenomena on record, both a new apparatus and a special technique of recording were required. To work out both called for a great measure of time, labour and ingenuity. As a result, 14 new inventions were credited to S. and V. Kirlian. They evolved high-frequency apparatus for literally all purposes. The procedure has now become simple: a light sensitive paper of film is placed on the object to be investigated (fin-ger, foot, leaf, coin), the high-frequency current (to which humans are not sensitive) is turned on - and the photo is ready.
The very first photographs amazed the couple. But the images were static, they only reproduced a tiny moment of the process. The inventors thereupon constructed a special accessory for the microscope. In the force-field of the high-frequency currents they now beheld an undreamt-of universe: against a dark background sparkled garlands of light-blue, lilac, yellow, and glittering golden electrical sparks. Some twinkled, others shone steadily, while still others flared up periodically. Some specks of light were strictly stationary, while others were wandering around as if lost in the labyrinths of light like glow-worms. Faintly luminous clouds were poured out over bizarre constellations of tiny will-o-the-wisps, and flaming bright coloured torches.
All discoveries were subjected to the microscope - pieces of leather, bits of wood, leaves and paper, pieces of metal and rubber. This showed the kind of incandescence and image differ entirely in the case of living and non-living objects; similarly, the photographs of different living organisms are quite distinct, i.e. in structural details which up to now are quite inexplicable.
'LIVING ELECTRICITY'
The facts multiply quickly. They pose problems for the discoverers and established scholars, who take an interest. As yet they cannot be deciphered. No doubt, the experiments reveal facts of scientific importance. But what are they? Under the microscope is a section of a leaf which has just been plucked. The high-frequency current is turned on, and the picture described above comes to light. But a few hours later the lights are gradually extinguished after the fashion of window lights in a town at night. The 'torches' fade out, the sparks and 'clouds' grind to a halt. The leaf dies, and the process of its demise is reflected in the image of the electrical impulses,
...a plant sickens. Before the expert has diagnosed the illness, the nature of the incandescence has suffered a change. The interplay of sparks and torches records the state of health of the plant organism in a secret language.
...a colour film is placed over diverse parts of the human body - on neck, heart, stomach - and on the photos - variously coloured spots are seen. No one knows as yet how these discolourations are determined. However, the discoverers noticed repeatedly a correlation between discolouration and state of health, mood, etc.
...under a small parafin plate, insulators and pieces of metal were distributed in a motionless state. In the high-frequency exposure, the contours of these objects are clearly discernible. Electrical signals reveal what is hidden in the depths of the body.
Innumerable experiments of this kind have been made. They open up amazing perspectives. It is admitted that this photographic procedures procedures is of great potential scientific value. One of the best-known Soviet biophysicists, Prof. L. A. Tu-merman, who recently visited the discoverers, is of this opi-nion. They themselves and some other scholars tend to the opinion that the exposures relate to complex processes in the vital activities of the organism, which are concealed in elec-trical signals of varying nature and colour. Some experts go beyond this into the field of conjecture. They think it will be possible to penetrate into many secrets of life, and that it will, for example, be possible to recognise illness at an early stage.