Light,

Radiation
&You
How to Stay Healthy

John N. Ott
LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU
Also by John N, Ott
My Ivory Cellar: The Story of
Time-Lapse Photography
Health and Light: The Effects of Natural
and Artificial Light on Man and Other
Living Things
LIGHT,
RADIATION,
AND YOU MM

How to Stay Healthy

by JOHN N. OTT

Preface by Philip S. Callahan, Ph.D.

Introduction by Fritz Hollwich, M.D.

^7/. & Pi-I /Hi

20^
DEVIN-ADAIR, PUBLISHERS
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT

rrR i s loo?
Copyright © 1982, 1990 Ott Laboratories, Inc.
All rights reserved. Permission to reprint material from this book must be obtained
in writing from the publisher. For information address Devin-Adair, Publishers,
6 North Water Street, Greenwich, Conn. 06830.
ISBN 0-8159-5314-3
ISBN 0-8159-6121-9 (pbk.)
Library of Congress Catalog No. 81-69951
Manufactured in the United States of America
To my wife's patience and encouragement
 CONTENTS

Authors Foreword ix
Preface by Philip S. Callahan, Ph.D. xi
Introduction by F. Hollwich, M.D. xiv
1. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED AT THE
LUNCHEON TABLE 1
2. HOW IT ALL STARTED 6
3. BIOLOGICAL COMBUSTION 18
—
4. KINESIOLOGY MUSCLE TESTING 27
5. THE ELECTRICAL DIMENSION OF LIVING
CELLS 33
6. THE THEORY OF MULTIFREQUENCY
INTERACTION 46
7. THERMAL EFFECTS AND ELECTRET CELLS 66
—
8. LIGHT THE MISSING LINK? 78
9. RESISTANCE TO CHANGE IN CANCER
RESEARCH 117
10. TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY 122
11. THE PINK ROOM 140
12. WHAT THE AVERAGE PERSON CAN DO 147
Appendix I: More on Kinesiology 164
Appendix II: Money in the Bank: A New Test Parameter 167
Appendix III: The Ultraviolet Controversy 172
Appendix IV: Proof of the Pudding 176
Appendix V: Stop Fiddling 184
Bibliography 189
Papers and publications by John N. Ott
References and Sources
Index 196
Illustrations between pages 80 and 8 1
About the Author
 AUTHOR’S FOREWORD

At the back of this book is a bibliography listing articles I have

written that have appeared over the past thirty-three years on
the biological effects of light and low levels of radiation on
plants, laboratory animals, and, more recently, school chil¬
dren and prison inmates. Admittedly, some of the first inter¬
esting results I reported were no more than serendipitous
observations. However, most of the latter studies reported
were carried out at leading university-affiliated medical re¬
search centers by qualified scientists and medical doctors.
I have tried to report these findings in a serious scientific
way in scholarly journals, and in a humorous way in
unscientific journals; some I have coauthored with qualified
scientists. In some articles I have stressed the scientific re¬
sults, in others I have stressed the legal, moral, and religious
approaches.
Some of these articles are readily available in scientific li¬
braries, but some might be difficult to locate. However, my
two previous books, My Ivory Cellar (1958) and Health and
Light (1973), both published by the Devin-Adair Company,
X / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

contain the basic information of all the articles up to the publi¬

cation date of each book. Health and Light was also published
in paperback (1976) by Pocket Books, with an updating chap¬
ter (Afterword).
This present book includes a few brief references from both
My Ivory Cellar and Health and Light, but mainly carries on
with the more recent developments that have occurred since

— —
the first two were published. Therefore, both books Health
and Light in particular are requisites for reading to obtain
the complete story.
Today the lighting in virtually all research laboratories is
still the responsibility of the janitor and is classified as ordi¬
nary building maintenance. Those in charge of most research
laboratories continue to refuse to acknowledge that light has
any biological effect on laboratory animals or people, and they
criticize and ridicule the few scientists who do recognize its
importance.
This book is another attempt to emphasize the need to
bring light under scientific control. It will approach the sub-
a still different point of view, one with possibly more
J ct from
•

rsonal interest: the diminishing sex drive. Such subjects as

cancel • research and human behavioral studies will be treated
as related problems.

JOHN N. OTT
Sarasota, Florida
 PREFACE

This book is a delightful recounting, in an easy-to-read, con¬

versational manner, of many years of pioneering research by
John Ott on the effects of color and light on living creatures.
His persistent and ingenious experimentation has been di¬
rected at such diverse creatures as pumpkin seeds, the tails of
rats, mink, and, of course, human beings. It is the latter
“experimental animal” that we are most concerned with in
this book.
The effect of color on life should be as obvious as the blue
—
sky and green leaves of the forest but apparently it is not.
John Ott’s genius for designing elegant experiments demon¬
strates the power of light and color in physiological processes.
The central message of this book is what I have called “a
little is a lot.” It is the process labeled doping by scientists in
the electronic fields. Solid state physicists dope various crys¬
tals with trace minerals to make transistors and lasers. The
process Dr. Ott describes is doping the organic body with
color wavelengths in the UV and visible region. It is a process
that leads to some very subtle and significant effects in the
human body.
 Xii / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

The power of “doping” with color is best illustrated by Dr.

Ott’s technique of using kinesiology to measure the effect of
blue and various reds on muscle tone. Another unusual exper¬
iment is his use of beeswax, delightfully called “hear wax,” to
dope his own ear and increase his hearing threshold. Because
of my own interest in the electret effect in plants and insects
described in my book, Tuning in to Nature, I was particularly
intrigued by this significant experiment.
Eastern mystics have for centuries been aware of the effect
of color on the human body. The word “chakras,” of Hindu
origin, means “wheel” and refers to a disk representing the
sun. The sun, of course, is the source of all earthly color. In
the mystic and holistic medical literature, the chakras are the
points of the body where prana, the energy of the universe,
interacts with the worldly body. Concentric rings of color are
presumed to emanate from the seven bodily chakras. Appar¬
ently, the Eastern mystics understood more about the subtle,
low energy effects of colored light in the body than do we
moderns.
John Ott, through many years of experimentation, is slowly
changing our high energy-inorganic distorted Western view
of light and color to a low energy-organic view. It takes a rare
and unique genius to swim against the tide of conventional
—
scientific dogma especially in this age of specialization.
In a chapter of my own forthcoming book, Exploring the
Spectrum, I point out that almost all significant scientific dis¬
covery begins with a process called “serendipity.” The word is
defined as the special gift of finding valuable or agreeable
things not sought for. It comes about quite naturally, for the
very good reason that the experimenter is usually manipulat¬
ing some biological, chemical or physical phenomenon when
something happens that is unexpected and cannot be ex¬
plained. A scientist who is intellectually prepared recognizes
the new phenomenon as something significant and redirects
 PREFACE / Xiii

his experimental effort toward discovering its place in nature.

Roentgen discovered X-rays in just this manner. Dr. Ott tells
how he began his research career with an unexpected occur¬
rence of serendipity. Fortunately, he had the vision to take
advantage of that occurrence.
The reason that scientific discovery by serendipity is so rare
in today’s research atmosphere is that scientists are trained in
such a way as to discourage taking advantage of the phenome¬
non. Most researchers are trained as specialists and thus de¬
velop a tunnel vision that directs their intellectual processes
along fixed lines. They have a locked-in fix on what the
specialized scientific literature says must be so, and are not
likely to change the direction of their thinking.
John Ott’s real strength lies in the fact that he is never a
specialist, but, rather, in the tradition of the nineteenth cen¬
tury, a natural philosopher. That is the true measure of all
really great scientists.
As you read this book, bear in mind that, although it is
written for the layman, the work it describes is of such a
nature that it may well lead to revolutionary cures, or even,
more importantly, new insights into how that cosmic energy
we call “color” affects our life and even our behavior. For that,
John Ott, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
PHILIP S. CALLAHAN, PH. D.
Gainesville, Florida
1981
 INTRODUCTION

worldwide acclaim for his time¬

John Nash Ott, who has won Sc.D.(Hon.) by Loyola Univer¬
lapse films, was awarded an
sity in Chicago, Ill. , for his decades of
research work on the
It was the
influence of light on plants, animals, and man. light energy on
fascinating effects of different wavelengths of
his
plant life that first inspired the author to extend
investiga¬
book, Light, Radia¬
tions to animal and human life. In his new
Ott summarizes his
tion, and You: How to Stay Healthy, Dr. style.
observations in a clear, simple, and most readable with the electri¬
One area of his investigation is concerned demonstrates
He
cal field, or dimension, of the human body. that holding a
simple way by showing
this electrical field in a strength. Dr.
lightning rod, for example, causes loss of muscleare believed to
ions
Ott’s working hypothesis is that negative bring on fatigue and
positive ions
give the body energy, while
even depression.
first part of his book deals
In short, it can be said that the everyday electromagnetic
with the influence of various connection, Dr. Ott has
stimuli on human muscles. In this
 INTRODUCTION / XV

investigated the negative effects of digital watches, certain

man-made fibers such as polyester and vinyl, ionizing-type
smoke detectors, certain kinds of fluorescent lighting, elec¬
tronic fetal monitoring equipment in hospitals, and others.
His detailed observations merit more than interest alone;
they should inspire specialists, first and foremost those in
electrophysiology, to undertake further scientific studies in
this area.
The latter part of the book deals with various related sub¬
—
jects, the central chapter being: “Light the Missing Link?
Here, on the basis of numerous observations, the author es¬
tablishes that light influences the size, number, and rate of
growth of tumors in laboratory animals being used for cancer
research. Since the results of experiments vary under differ¬
ent types of lighting, Dr. Ott stresses the need for including
light as a variable which, in all research laboratories, should
be under scientific control.
Dr. Ott’s observations further include the stunted growth
of plants that had been placed near the ends of some fluores¬
cent tubes. He notes that old fluorescent tubes seem to emit
more radiation than new ones.
Thus, he has been led to study the behavior of pupils in
windowless schoolrooms under different lighting conditions.
Aided by hidden cameras taking time-lapse films, Dr. Ott has
reached the conclusion that some standard fluorescent lights
emit certain kinds of radiation that may trigger hyperactivity
and irritability in particularly sensitive children.
Moreover, the author is concerned about the possible
harmful effects of radiation from color television sets, and is of
the opinion that the present safety level needs to be substan¬
tially lowered even further.
In his last chapter, “What the Average Person Can Do,
Dr. Ott summarizes his most personal experiences in han¬
dling (or avoiding!) the various objects mentioned in the
XVI I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

foregoing chapters. His suggestions, based directly on the

conclusions drawn from his observations, will aid the reader
in obtaining maximum benefit from the advantages of indus¬
trial progress, and in avoiding the disadvantages inevitably
connected with it.
In summing up, it should be stressed that Dr. Ott’s many-
sided studies are the result of a lifetime of investigations.
These are grounded in an empiric, subtle observation of vari¬
ous environmental phenomena which are an integral part of
our present-day high standard of civilization, and which seem
to exert a negative influence on human health. Some of Dr.
Ott’s conclusions have already achieved scientific recognition,
and I personally believe that others will be confirmed by
subsequent research. A “Rousseau” of our day, Dr. Ott and
his most deserving work merit the full attention of the public
in general.

FRITZ HOLLWICH, M.D., M.D. (HON.)

Professor Emeritus
Department of Ophthalmology
University of Munster, West Germany

r-»
 _ A FUNNY THING HAPPENED
1 AT THE LUNCHEON TABLE

It was late for luncheon, and I thought the main dining room
in the hotel was empty. I was explaining to an elderly lady how
fluorescent lights and things like an ordinary ionizing type of
smoke detector weakened one’s muscular strength. Her hus¬
band had just given a substantial grant to the Center for Light
Research to study the effect of color and light on the behavior of
prison inmates, but he was not feeling well enough to have
lunch with us. My wife was there, and was patiently listening to
the story she had heard me tell many times before.
To my surprise, a stranger sitting at a table behind me broke
into our conversation and said, “Pardon me, but did I under¬
stand you to say smoke detectors weaken all your muscles like
that?” I nodded, and then he said, “Gee, thanks. Now I know
what’s the matter with me. I have one in the bedroom right over
the bed.” He got up and left tire dining room. It took me several
minutes to realize the far-reaching implications of his more or
less joking comment. I had hesitated to ask him more details at
tire luncheon table, so I excused myself and chased after him,
but I could not locate him anywhere.
2 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Since then several uncontrolled studies and a great deal of

discussion and conversations with a number of people interested
in the subject have strengthened my belief that an ionizing type
of smoke detector anywhere within fifty feet of the bed di¬
minishes both the male and female sex drive and can cause
complete impotence. This distance, depending on the type of
construction, may include floors above or below, in fact, any¬
where in an average-size house. Some polyester nightclothes
and bed sheets can have the same effect. So does holding a lead
pencil in the ordinary writing position, or wearing a battery-
operated wrist watch. Holding a lightning rod against your chest
also weakens all your muscles, including the heart muscle, but
since most people don’t take lightning rods to bed, we won’t
—
worry about them at least for the time being.
I mentioned uncontrolled studies. Perhaps I should just say
that some serendipitous observations have suggested these
crazy things, since my background is banking. I became inter¬
ested in the biological effects of light and low levels of radiation
through taking time-lapse pictures of flowers growing.
Sex counseling is quite outside my general area of activities
(frankly, I should think the psychological impact of trying to
obtain scientific data during love-making would be quite discon¬
certing). However, I do read the newspapers and have noticed
an increasing number of articles about greatly increased sexual
activity during the 1960s, and a complete reversal during the
1970s. The problem of impotence in men and failure to obtain
full satisfaction in women, including otherwise happily married
couples, has become an area of major concern for marriage
counselors.
Most explanations attribute the cause solely to psychological
problems. One New York psychiatrist, for example, believes
that the present generation represents the babies who first re¬
ceived prepared formulas on a wide scale in lieu of breast feed¬
ing. This resulted in failure to establish a close contact and
 A FUNNY THING HAPPENED / 3
affection between mother and baby, which, in turn, has resulted
in the loss of interest in sex today. Well, maybe, but when you
get rid of that smoke detector and polyester bedclothes and

in the older generation. —

sheets, I can tell you that interest in sex comes right back even

As soon as I returned to my office after the late luncheon, I

called the doctor at the Central Clinic Research Center of the
National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, with
whom I had just spent two days doing muscle testing under
different types of lights and wearing different colored sun¬
glasses. I had met this doctor under somewhat unusual circum¬
stances a few days earlier at a national meeting of the Clinical
Ecology Society, to which I had been invited to give the ban¬
quet speech. (Incidentally, I was also honored by the Society
with the Jonathan Forman Gold Medal.)
During my speech I demonstrated how looking at a pink card,
or being under ordinary fluorescent lights, or wearing certain
types of sunglasses would grossly weaken the shoulder deltoid
muscle. The doctor didn’t believe it possible, and came forward
and held his arm straight out so that I could try the experiment
on him. It worked perfectly. His arm went down like limp
spaghetti when I pressed on his wrist. He still could not believe
that just looking at a pink card, or being under fluorescent
lights, or wearing sunglasses could so quickly and completely
weaken his shoulder muscle. He was insistent that I come right
up to Bethesda, where we could repeat the experiments again
under more controlled conditions with muscle-testing equip¬
ment. I spent two days with him at Central Clinic headquarters,
doing all kinds of muscle testing under various circumstances.
He used special, very modem equipment that showed that the
heart muscle was also weakened. He thought this was quite
alarming, but that was as far as we went in testing at the time.
When I called him on the phone about the late luncheon
affair, he thought for a moment and replied slowly, “Well, we
4 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

know that light affects the muscle that controls the opening and
closing of the pupil. Our tests showed that light directly affected
muscle strength in the shoulder, and also the heart muscle. So,
what would you expect?”
Shortly thereafter I was invited to speak at a medical meeting
at a hospital in New Jersey, not far from New York City. Again I
demonstrated the loss of strength in the deltoid muscle as the
result of looking at a pink card, turning on ordinary fluorescent
lights, or wearing different types of sunglasses. This time I also
showed that turning on a small hand-held, battery-operated cal¬
culator had the same effect. I also mentioned the late luncheon
affair.
Following my presentation, the doctor in charge of the meet¬
ing came up to me and said that this demonstration seemed to
explain a major problem recently encountered by his hospital
and many others across the country since the new-type fetal
monitoring equipment had been installed in their maternity
wards. He added that the same basic type of electronic monitor¬
ing equipment is also used in the cardiac wards. His main con¬
cern at the momept, though, was with the alarming increase in
the rate of Caesarean births in the hospital that had been
definitely associated with the installation of the new-type
monitoring equipment. The increase in the rate of Caesarean
births, he said, was definitely related to an unexplained gross
loss of uterine muscle strength: the mother was just not able to
deliver the baby. The rate of Caesarean births at this hospital
had increased from less than 2 percent to over 25 percent,
which we both thought was alarmingly high. Since then, I have
found one hospital where the rate is 36 percent, and another
where it is over 50 percent of all the babies born.
Recently, I have noticed articles in the press, and in several
scientific journals, with reference to doctors complaining about
the unnecessary routine use of fetal monitoring equipment in
hospitals and the alarming increasing rate of Caesarean births.
 A FUNNY THING HAPPENED / 5

None of the articles I have read so far directly relates uterine

muscle weakness with the electronic monitoring equipment,
fluorescent lights, or polyester sheets, but the doctors with

— —
whom I have talked and who have seen the simple arm muscle
test agree that it is a serious problem and that something
should be done about it. More on this in later chapters.
I have said that my background is banking, that my hobby is
taking time-lapse pictures of flowers growing, and that sex coun¬
seling and such matters are not exactly my line. So, before
getting any deeper into the subject, perhaps I had better explain
briefly how taking pictures of flowers got me so involved in the
subject matter of this book.
2 HOW IT ALL STARTED

After I spent my whole week’s allowance of ten cents for a

small box camera at the dime store, I began to wonder if my
action had been prudent or possibly a bit hasty. I was horrified
to find that a film cost twenty cents more, and then I had to pay
to have it processed. Little did I realize what I was getting into.
During the 1918 flu epidemic at the end of World War I the
family went to California so that my father could recuperate
from an attack. I toured a studio and saw a movie being made
—
with real actors. I guess I got the bug right there and then not
the flu bug, but the camera bug.
Christmas 1924 brought me my first 16-mm movie camera,
and one dark night early in 1927 1 borrowed the works from the
kitchen clock to make my first automatic timer. I made a time¬
lapse picture of an apple blossom opening. The same bug was
still biting.
By the time of the 1929 stock market crash I was working in a
bank and could not always get home at the right time to make
certain necessary adjustments on the two additional cameras I
had accumulated secondhand. This made it necessary to build
 HOW IT ALL STARTED / 7

more automatic equipment, but even so, by 1948 I realized that

banking was interfering too much with taking time-lapse pic¬
tures, so I retired from banking.
During the early days of television, when some of the big city
TV stations were expanding their broadcast time from approxi¬
mately three to five hours a day, the manager of one of the
Chicago stations telephoned me one Saturday afternoon. He
was desperate. Something had gone wrong, and he had a half¬
hour period the following day and nothing to fill it with. He
understood that I had some old films about flowers and asked
me to come in and help him out. I did so, and he asked if I had
any more that I could show the following week. Again I helped
him out, and, in fact, kept on showing flower films every week
for over ten years. I wanted to do a show on photography, since
that was a subject I thought I knew something about. But the
station manager insisted on a gardening show, so that is what it
turned out to be.
Before each show I asked my wife how to grow the flowers I
was going to talk about and show in my time-lapse pictures, and
soon I was an authority on gardening.
As time went on, I had over fifty cameras taking time-lapse
pictures of all sorts of things. I made many of the time-lapse
sequences for Walt Disney’s Nature Series, including Nature’s
Half Acre, Secrets of Life, and others. More recently, I did the
flower sequences for Paramount’s On A Clear Day, which
featured Barbra Streisand. The film opens with her planting
bulbs in pots on the rooftop, and as she sings they grow like mad
on the screen, giving the impression that they are responding to
her sweet voice. Actually, while they were really growing I sang
to them, but she gets the credit, and that’s how it goes.
Other time-lapse projects include making pictures of building
tire floats for several of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, as
well as of the parades themselves, and the inflating and assem¬
bling of the balloon for Malcolm Forbes’s attempted flight across
8 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

the United States and the Atlantic Ocean. A time-lapse camera

was also mounted inside the gondola to record the entire trip,
but the gondola did not go very far because of a malfunction of
the harness equipment.
Perhaps my most gratifying time-lapse project was an educa¬
tional film diat showed the farmers of India how to increase tire
yield of their rice crops. My wife and I had recently returned
from a lecture trip that took us around the world, including
several stops in India. One day there was a knock on the door,
and a representative of the Fertilizer Division of Amoco Interna¬
tional and the Indian Department of Agriculture came in and
said that he had had a hard time tracking us down. He explained
that because the Suez Canal was closed by the Seven Day Mid¬
dle East War, less grain from the United States would reach
India, since shipping would have to take the much longer route
around the Cape of Good Hope. India would have to increase its
agricultural output. Would I, he asked, make an educational
film for farmers?
I said I thought the canal would certainly be opened again
before I could possibly produce the film, and farmers could be
shown how to improve their methods to increase the rice crop
yield on a national basis. He said that in India it was thought the
canal would be closed for a long time, and, as it turned out, he
was absolutely right.
He explained that they wanted to show time-lapse pictures of
rice growing with and without fertilizer, as I had previously
done with com, wheat, oats, cotton, and other crops for various
fertilizer and farm machinery companies here in the United
States. Planting had already started, he said, and harvesting of
the previous crop would soon be completed, so if I could start
shooting within ten days I would be able to cover both opera¬
—
tions at the same time and time was all important.
I asked my wife if she would go back to India with me. She
nodded approval, so back we went, and all went very well. The
 HOW IT ALL STARTED / 9

sound track was done in three Indian dialects and the film was
soon being shown from mobile truck units all over southern
India (the rice-producing area). The yield of the rice crop, I am
happy to say, showed significant improvement.
I have enjoyed every minute spent making time-lapse pic¬
tures. There were times, though, when all was not roses and
honey. Some plants didn’t cooperate and refused to bloom. At
first, I would just discard them and try something else. But, as
time went on, when a flower refused to bloom I had to try to
figure out what was wrong so that I could follow the script. The
first problem of any possible scientific significance came in try¬
ing to photograph the growth of a pumpkin from the emergence
of the first shoot to maturity for the Walt Disney film Secrets of
Life.
I didn’t get any pumpkins, but I did learn that a pumpkin is a
monoecious plant, that is, it produces both staminate (male) and
pistillate (female) blossoms on the same vine. Down in my ivory
cellar (basement studio) I found that all the staminate blossoms
developed into large, healthy specimens, but all the pistillate
blossoms (with the little embryo of the pumpkin right under the
blossom) would dry up, turn black, and drop off the vine.
I had good pictures of a tomato turning bright red, but this
particular sequence had to tie into the story of Cinderella’s
chariot, and Walt Disney insisted that a tomato simply would
not do. It had to be a pumpkin.
I consulted a number of horticulturists, botanists, and just
plain farmers who grew pumpkins, but since no one had ever
seen this kind of situation before, I received no real suggestions
as to what might be wrong. The soil tested out all right. The
plants looked perfectly healthy, but at an early stage of growth
all the pistillate blossoms would fail.
The situation was getting desperate. Walt Disney needed this
sequence badly, so I agreed to try it again the next year. I was
doing the project under a skylight in my ivory cellar and supple-
10 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

meriting the restricted daylight with two large fluorescent

fixtures. The lights were old and beginning to flicker, so I
bought some new fluorescent tubes at the local hardware store
and started over. To my amazement, this time all the pistillate
buds developed fully and the staminate buds dropped off. This
was just the opposite of what had occurred the previous year.
Thus, for the second time, after having photographed a vine
every five minutes over a period of months from the time the
seed was planted until it had grown to over fifteen feet, I was
confronted with the problem of having all flowers of only one
sex. This time I had a perfect female, or pumpkin-producing,
flower, which I figured would open the next day, and nothing
but year-old pictures of the male flower.
The next day the flower was open and would have to be
pollinated before closing that night if it was to produce a pump¬
kin. In this delicate situation I decided to call my friend, Dr.
Harold Tukey, head of the Department of Horticulture at
Michigan State University. I asked him if he had any pumpkins
growing at that time of year in the department’s experimental
greenhouses, and also if it might be possible to use any kind of
artificial hormones. The answer to both questions was “no.” Dr.
Tukey had no pumpkins and advised that real pumpkin pollen
would be necessary under these circumstances.
Next I called Dr. Dorsey at the University of Illinois, who
said he was sorry, but he had no pumpkin pollen at the moment
either.
Then I called Dr. Julian Miller at Louisiana State University.
Dr. Miller had been very helpful on a previous occasion in
settling a dispute about which end of a sweet potato should be
“up” when it was planted in ajar of water on the kitchen window
sill. I had demonstrated this on my televised, gardening show,
and a lady called in to the station to say I had planted it upside
down! This was very embarrassing and certainly a challenge to
my authority as a TV gardening expert. Dr. Miller advised that
 HOW IT ALL STARTED / 11

sometimes the big end should be down and sometimes it should

be up. The procedure differs with various varieties, and the
problem can be avoided by planting the potato on its side, the
way the farmers in Louisiana do it.
I thought that possibly pumpkins might be blooming in
Louisiana, but Dr. Miller told me there would be none for a
week or ten days. This would be much too late for my beauti¬
ful pumpkin flower, which was now in full bloom.
Maybe the pumpkins would be in bloom a little farther
south, so I called Dr. Deatrick of the Flagler Hydroponic
Gardens in Miami. I asked him if he could look around
Florida to see if there were any male pumpkin flowers in
bloom. After I explained the urgency of the situation, he said
he would see what he could do. He called me back a little
later that morning, saying that he had spread the word. By
noon an urgent appeal for pumpkin pollen had been pub¬
lished on the front page of the early edition of the Miami
paper and broadcast on the radio, so that my beautiful little
lady flower wouldn’t die a spinster before dark. By two o’clock
that afternoon a lady living in Miami called in to say that she
had a pumpkin vine with male flowers in bloom and would
offer it in the emergency. While I was sitting at my desk,
wondering how I could get a male flower or at least some
pollen up to Chicago before dark, the telephone rang. It was
the vice president of Eastern Airlines. He had heard of the
plight of my lady pumpkin flower and offered their facilities.
He arranged to have the whole pumpkin vine dug up and
placed aboard a nonstop plane to Chicago with an extra stew¬
ardess to take care of it.
I dashed out to the airport and waited for the plane. Soon it
was announced, and I was escorted out onto the field. News¬
paper photographers and reporters had gathered, but no one
really knew who the important celebrity was. From all the
commotion, it obviously had to be a movie star or foreign
12 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

royalty. No one would believe me when I told them it was

King Pumpkin, or perhaps they just didn’t understand. The
passengers were all held on the plane until the pumpkin was
unloaded and delivered to me. I rushed it out to my time¬
lapse studio, where I introduced it to the lady-in-waiting.
Now I am being called Uncle John by a lot of little pumpkins,
particularly by the one that starred in Walt Disney’s Secrets
of Life.
In checking everything I could think of, I found that the
first year I happened to be using cool-white fluorescent tubes,
which are strong in the yellow-orange part of the spectrum,
and the second year, without asking for any particular kind of
tube, I just happened to get daylight-white. This tube has
more blue in it. After completing the pictures for Walt Dis¬
ney, I continued to experiment with different fluorescent
tubes and found I could obtain 100 percent staminate or pistil¬
late blossoms on a pumpkin vine simply by supplementing
the somewhat restricted daylight with either cool-white or
daylight-white fluorescent.
Actually, there may not be too many people interested in
the sex life of a pumpkin, but the fact that either male or
female flowers can be brought forth by controlling slight vari¬
ations in color or wavelength of light opened up some inter¬
esting possibilities for investigation.
Soon thereafter, I was asked to assist in taking time-lapse
pictures of the development of fish egg embryos in the De¬
partment of Biology at Loyola University in Chicago. After
the project was well under way, I suggested placing some
guppies, which bear their young alive, under cool-white and
other guppies under daylight-white fluorescent. The sex of
the guppies can readily be determined by the development of
certain coloration in the males as the fish mature.
The results of this experiment were quite significant. The
professor in charge advised me that all of the guppies under
 HOW IT ALL STARTED / 13

cool-white appeared to be females; that is, they had not de¬

veloped any male coloring long after the time when male
coloring should normally have appeared. However, at a later
date he told me that approximately 20 percent of the guppies
showed faint male coloring that never did fully develop. They
appeared to be males, but the development of their secondary
sex characteristics had been materially retarded. It was not
feasible to do any autopsies at the time to see what had caused ,
this mixed-up sex situation, although light certainly seemed
to be a factor. However, there may be a clue here for future ;
investigation with regard to the problem of homosexuality and
the increasing number of transsexual operations.
A story about the effect of light on the sex of the pumpkin
blossoms and the guppies appeared in the press, and I re¬
ceived a letter from a chinchilla breeder in New Jersey advis¬
ing me that this growing industry was having a major problem
obtaining enough female chinchillas for breeding purposes.
Chinchillas kept outdoors produce approximately 50 percent
males and 50 percent females. However, when chinchillas
were moved indoors, the sex ratio in the litters changed to
about 95 percent or more males.
Generally speaking, the chinchilla breeders were using the
same procedures established for breeding mink. It was widely
believed at first that chinchillas were cold weather animals
and could tolerate extremely cold winter temperatures. It was
also thought that cold temperatures would produce better
pelts, earlier in the season, than would be the case with ani¬
mals kept indoors.
Experience soon indicated, however, that temperature did
not control the development of heavier winter fur and that
chinchillas, being native to a more temperate climate, could
not stand the extreme cold. It is now known that the seasonal
changes in the length of daylight and darkness trigger the
onset of the heavy winter fur, just as they also time the migra- ;
14 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

tion of birds, the hibernation of certain animals, and the mat¬

ing season of almost all animals except primates. The poultry
industry routinely uses artificial light to lengthen the daylight
periods, especially during the winter, to increase egg produc¬
tion.
The chinchilla breeder advised me that since the chinchil¬
las had of necessity been moved indoors, it was no longer
possible to maintain the necessary number of females for
breeding purposes. The cost of changing the incandescent
fixtures to fluorescent, such as I had used on both the pump¬
kins and guppies, was more than the chinchilla breeder
wanted to pay, so I suggested trying daylight incandescent
bulbs in the breeding rooms in place of the regular incandes¬
cent. Daylight incandescent uses a blue glass to cut down on
the high ratio of red and infrared found in the regular incan¬
descent.
The lights were not installed until ten days after mating had
occurred, and the same parent animals that had been consis¬
tently producing approximately 95 percent males in the litters
under the regular incandescent bulbs now produced 95 per¬
cent females, which is contrary to the long-established X-Y
chromosome theory. Daylight incandescent bulbs are now in
worldwide commercial use by chinchilla breeders to increase
the number of females in the litters.
All went well with the New Jersey chinchilla breeders for
about two years. Then I received a special delivery letter
advising me that the blue lights were no longer achieving the
same results: the sex ratio was back to about 90 percent males
again. The breeder had thought from the beginning that it
was a silly idea, and she was now convinced it had been just a
fluke that it had seemed to work for awhile.
But why, I thought, did it work for almost two years? Could
it be that the filaments in the bulbs give off more red and less
blue as they get older? I called the research director at the
 HOW IT ALL STARTED / 15

Lamp Division of General Electric Company and asked if

they had a wavelength chart of an old, almost-burned-out
daylight incandescent bulb. He said they did not; all their
wavelength charts were made using new bulbs. He thought
there would be very little, if any, change in the spectral char¬
acteristics during the burning life of the bulb. I then asked if
he would make a spectral wavelength chart of an old daylight
incandescent if I sent one to him. He agreed reluctantly,
although he thought it would be a waste of time.
I called the chinchilla breeder in New Jersey and asked if
she had any more of the blue bulbs that had not burned out.
She said she still had some, and I asked her to send several
directly to the research director at General Electric. Soon I
received a call from him saying they had come in. Then, with
great guffaws, he advised me to learn the difference between
one kind of blue bulb and another if I was going to continue
giving people advice on lighting! He pointed out that I had
told him he would be sent some daylight incandescent bulbs,
but what he actually received from the chinchilla breeder wa;
a sky-blue coloramic incandescent bulb. Well, I knew what 1
had sent the chinchilla breeder, so I called and asked what
had happened. What did happen was that the original day¬
light incandescent bulbs I had sent burned out, so the chin¬
chilla breeder bought some new blue bulbs that looked the
same but happened to be sky-blue coloramic. The daylight
incandescent has cobalt actually mixed in the glass that colors
it blue, whereas the sky-blue coloramic is an ordinary incan¬
descent bulb with a coat of blue paint on the outside of the
glass. While they look about the same shade of blue to the
human eye, the spectral wavelength charts show that the sky-
blue coloramic does have much more red in it than the day¬
light incandescent.
I explained all this to the chinchilla breeder and she put
daylight incandescent bulbs back in the breeding room. The
16 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

sex ratio reverted right back to approximately 95 percent fe¬

males and, as far as I know, that’s where it is today.
While this episode could not be considered a controlled
experiment, it did nevertheless indicate a very important
point: such biological responses are linked to certain
—
wavelengths just any old blue light will not necessarily do.
This has also proven to be the case in many controlled experi¬
ments using different types of fluorescent tubes. Several years
ago, however, an article appeared in the Illuminating En¬
gineering Society Journal about the variations in the
wavelength output of different batches of supposedly the
same type of fluorescent tube manufactured by the same
manufacturer, and even greater differences in supposedly the
same type of fluorescent tube made by different manufactur¬
ers.
Finally, I decided to build a small animal laboratory out in
the backyard and experiment with keeping various laboratory
animals under different colors or wavelengths of light on a
more controlled basis. This was an entirely new experience
for me, but through several doctor friends I was able to get
some qualified animal laboratory technicians to help set up
the necessary scientific controls and generally supervise the
experiments.
In our studies, as reported in detail in Health and Light,
the most significant abnormal conditions were found in labo¬
ratory animals under pink fluorescent, which represents a
concentration of the wavelength energy in a narrow part of
the spectrum toward the red end of the visible spectrum. The
animals used in these particular experiments were mice and
rats, which are nocturnal and do not see into the far red end of
the spectrum. This is why red lights are used in the so-called
night rooms of many zoos; since red light does not disturb
nocturnal animals, they are more active and not asleep in a
corner of their cages while the zoo is open to the public
during the daytime.
 HOW IT ALL STARTED / 17

The abnormal responses in the animals under the pink

fluorescent consisted of excessive calcium deposits in the
heart tissue, smaller numbers of young in the litters, with
lower survival rates, significantly greater tumor development
or cancer (which has now been confirmed by six major medi¬
cal centers), and a strong tendency toward becoming irritable,
— —
aggressive constantly fighting with one another and can¬
nibalistic.
Another experiment with time-lapse pictures of bean plants
and white rats placed in front of a TV set was given credit for
leading to the passage of the 1968 Radiation Hazards Bill,
which set safer levels for exposure to X-rays. The abnormal
growth responses of the geranium plants under the ends of
fluorescent tubes, shown in Paramount’s On a Clear Day, has
led to the development of new lighting fixtures for school¬
rooms that make hyperactive kids calm down and learn to
read (while they also show one-third fewer cavities in their
teeth).
I know this all sounds incredible, but keep on reading and I
shall try to explain more in the next chapter.
3 BIOLOGICAL COMBUSTION

Fifty-four years ago, when I began taking time-lapse pic¬

tures of flowers growing and blooming, it became apparent to
me right from the start that light was a very important factor
controlling growth and development. All further studies with
laboratory animals, school children, and now the inmates of
several U.S. Navy Correctional Centers and Federal peniten¬
tiaries indicate that light is an important factor in influencing
human health and behavior.
During this time it has been my privilege to show some of my
time-lapse pictures and speak to many groups representing
quite a few disciplines.
As a result, I firmly believe there exists a great lack of inter¬
disciplinary communication which is holding back progress in
research dealing with various basic life processes. The living cell
and the fundamental metabolic process involve so many over¬
lapping disciplines that perhaps it is now time to stand back and
take a good look at the overall picture.
To do this, it might be helpful to use less technical terms or
phrases so that we may bring certain concepts into a closer
understanding within a greater number of disciplines.
 BIOLOGICAL COMBUSTION / 19

For example, metabolism might be thought of as biological

combustion. When we speak of combustion, we think at once of
the need for some sort of combustible material; that is, fuel or
—
food in other words, nutrition.
Oxygen is definitely a requisite. The proper adjustment of the
carburetor in your automobile engine is done with a very deli¬
cate needle valve. Some automobiles now sold in cities at higher
altitudes, where the air is a little thinner, have new, more
delicate methods to adjust for the lesser amount of oxygen.
The under sides of leaves have countless numbers of small
openings called “stomata,” the Latin word for “mouth.” The
brighter the sunlight, the wider they open, in order to supply
more air for a higher rate of photosynthesis.
When too much oxygen is given to premature babies in their
incubators, it causes blindness, deafness, and brain tissue dam¬
age. Fortunately, this has not resulted in any recommendation
that we should try to get along without oxygen. Such a notion is
obviously preposterous. Yet that is exactly what is happening in
prevalent views about ultraviolet light. Without doubt, too
—
much ultraviolet is harmful particularly the short-wavelength
or germicidal ultraviolet that is mostly filtered out of sunlight by
the atmosphere, and especially the upper ozone layer. That is
why there is concern about the exhaust from SST airplanes and
the fluorocarbon gas in aerosol spray cans destroying the ozone
layer. The fear of too much ultraviolet is causing many people to
overprotect themselves from sunlight, to the point of creating a
deficiency in a very essential environmental life-supporting en¬
ergy. Two very good recent books on this subject are Sunlight
Could Save Ybur Life by Zane R. Kime, M. D., M. S. (Penryn, k
Calif.: World Health Publications, 1980) and The Influence of
Ocular Light Perception on Metabolism in Man and in Animals
by Fritz Hollwich, M. D., Professor Emeritus of Ophthalmol¬
ogy, University of Munster, West Germany (New York:
Springer-Verlag, 1980). The following is quoted from the pre¬
face of Dr. Hollwich’s book:
\A 20 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU
/
This book was written to show that light is a primal element of life. All life
originates and develops under the influence of the light of the sun, that
: “superterrestrial natural force” (Goethe).
Sunlight influences the vital processes not only of the plant (e.g., helio¬
tropism, photosynthesis) and the animal (e.g., color change, maturation of
the gonads) but of man as well. The human organism too reacts “heliotropi-
cally,” as the 24-hour rhythm of the sleep-waking cycle demonstrates. . . .
It is the purpose of this book to demonstrate to architects as well as
teachers, physicians, and lighting experts that the source of the light rays
entering the eye, is of great importance. Artificial light may Jae an optic
substitute but it is by no means equivalent to natural light in physiological
terms. Too much artificial fluorescent light interferes with the natural de-
veTopment of the child and subjects the nervous system of the adult to
inordinate stress. The_heal th of pur organism is dependent to a large degree
upon the environmental factor of light, i.e., upon the entry of natural light
into the eye. . . .
Many of today’s large buildings are without windows and are completely
air-conditioned. Man, who, like all living creatures, evolved under the light
of the sun, is thereby cut off not only from visible light but also from the
interaction between invisible electromagnetic rays and the earth’s electric
field. ...
In conclusion, to define the crucial issue of today, such an important
environmental factor as fight must once again be correlated with the needs
of man as a creature of nature. Man, in his daily routine, requiresthe.
influence ofnatural environmental factors to a certain degree. Among, these
_are daylight, with its visible_and invisible electromagnetic radiation, as well
as the unfiltered, pure air.of the atmosphere and the changing temperature
of the external world. Since places of work to a large extent exclude contact
with nature, dining and recreation rooms on the premises should be de¬
signed to offer a certain compensation. Finally, our homes should also be
planned with this purpose in mind. Man, “the Unknown” (Alexis Carrel),
has already reached a remarkably high level of civilization in the last dec¬
ades due to the introduction of many technological options; he should now
devote a portion of his energies to the study of those life factors which are
indispensable for the maintenance of his health and thus of his existence.
In experiments performed over a period of almost three decades (1948-
1975), the author [Dr. Hollwich] and co-workers were the first to demon¬
strate conclusively that the eye is the channel for light’s stimulatory effect.
In order to elucidate this effect and separate it clearly from the visual
process, in 1948 the author [Dr. Hollwich] designated the neural pathway
 BIOLOGICAL COMBUSTION / 21

conducting the photostimulus to the pituitary gland (hypophysis) as the

“energetic portion” of the optic pathway. Vision itself proceeds indepen¬
dently via the “optic portion” of the optic pathway.

We take for granted that a combustion engine also needs an

ignition system, and that if the spark plugs are dirty it is a
waste of time to work all day adjusting the carburetor or
adding “nutritional” additives to gasoline. But we totally ig¬
nore the biological combustion, or metabolic ignition, sys¬
—
tem that is, the interaction of light or electromagnetic en¬
ergy.
Light is generally thought of as something other than such
electrical energy as radio waves, but it is just as much a part of
the total electromagnetic spectrum and, therefore, actually
does come within the technical classification of being electric
energy.
We know that every chemical, mineral, vitamin, or sub¬
stance of any kind that we take into our bodies as food has a
maximum wavelength absorption characteristic of elec
tromagnetic energy. We also know that this wavelength en
ergy penetrates the skin and interacts directly at the molecu
lar level with the chemicals and minerals in the blood supply.
One of the more interesting developments in medicine
during the past few years has been the introduction of light
therapy for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, or
jaundice, in premature babies. The use of light in the treat¬
ment of jaundice may have been practiced originally in India
by midwives, who placed unclothed, jaundiced infants in the
sunlight to cure them. In 1958, Dr. Richard J. Cremer of
Harefield Hospital in Middlesex, England, did significant
work in the use of artificial light to treat jaundice. Dr. Cremer
showed that the serum bilirubin levels that cause jaundice
could be lowered in infants by exposing them either to sun-
 22 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

light or to artificial blue light. The accepted alternative treat¬

ment for severe cases is to perform a complete blood transfer,
which in itself carries considerable risk.
In this country, Dr. Jerold F. Lucey, professor of pediatrics
at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and a past
president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, has carried
on extensive work in studying light therapy for the treatment
of jaundice in premature babies. When the premature babies
are exposed to the light treatment, their eyes are covered
with a blindfold as a precautionary measure. The treatment is
usually for eight hours a day for five or six days.
The condition, bilirubinemia, results from high concentra¬
tions of a toxic waste in the blood, which the infant is unable
, to dispose of through its liver and kidneys. The blue light
I (with its shorter visible wavelengths) passing through the tis-
/ sues interacts with the bilirubin serum and converts it into a
1
nontoxic substance that can be easily excreted.
Dr. Lucey and his coworkers have experimented with dif¬
ferent types of fluorescent lights. He is now using full¬
spectrum fluorescent light containing the normal amount of
blue to approximate the spectrum of natural sunlight.
It seems logical that while the use of a strong blue light
might hasten the breakdown of the bilirubin serum, the ab¬
sence of all the other wavelengths of the total spectrum might
create other deficiencies or side effects, especially in newborn
infants receiving their first direct exposure to light.
Westinghouse makes a special blue fluorescent tube which
they recommend for the phototherapeutic treatment of hy¬
perbilirubinemia. In their current Lamp Sales Engineering
Bulletin, the use of these special blue lamps is discussed and
the following statement appears:

Note: Some personnel who view infants under the special blue lamps for
extended periods may experience a slight nausea. This is caused by the
 BIOLOGICAL COMBUSTION / 23

extremely saturated blue light. This nauseous condition can be corrected

or improved considerably without appreciably reducing the effectiveness
of the bilirubin treatment. Where an individual complains of nausea, we
suggest the following:
1. One of the special blue lamps in the bilirubin hood can be replaced
with a Gold (GO) Fluorescent Lamp of the same electrical characteris¬
tics. (F20T12/G0 to replace F20T12/BB or F40G0 to replace
F40BB). This approach tends to dilute the saturation of the blue light.
2. Yellow or amber tinted transparent plastic curtains may be fastened to
the treatment hood so that the infant being treated is viewed through
the tinted curtain.

As previously stated, many biological responses are not to

any light (as compared with darkness), but, rather, to narrow
bands of specific wavelengths. When these are missing in an
artificial light source, the biological receptor responds as if it
were in total darkness, even though other wavelengths are
present. For example, cool-white fluorescent as well as ordi¬
nary incandescent bulbs lack the shorter wavelengths that we
see as blue.
If a particular ailment can be treated with certain
wavelengths of light, we might logically assume that living
under an artificial light source that lacks these wavelengths
can contribute to causing the ailment in the first place.
It is worth noting that all the acceptable applications of
phototherapy so far use the blue or ultraviolet wavelengths
that are grossly missing in the artificial light sources under
which modern civilization exists. Pink tinted lenses especially
stop these beneficial wavelengths from entering the eyes,
thus causing an endocrine deficiency. The recent rapid swing
toward the new, more efficient but grossly distorted pink and
orange spectrum of the new type sodium vapor lighting
further raises very serious questions concerning their effect
on human health and behavior.
24 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

In a similar way, the buildup of toxic levels in the blood of

factory workers from exposure to industrial chemicals could
be influenced by the type of artificial lights used in the work¬
ing area. A buildup or accumulation of chemical pesticides,
food preservatives, or artificial coloring materials and other
chemicals could reach higher toxic levels if the wavelengths to
which they interact are weak or missing. In an article entitled
“Blue Light and Bilirubin Excretion” (Science April 11, 1980)
by Antony F. McDonagh et al. emphasis is placed on the
effect of blue light enhancing normal bilirubin metabolism so
that it can be excreted by the liver. We are probably being
optimistic if we assume that serum bilirubin is the only
chemical in the blood that reacts to specific wavelengths of
light or electromagnetic energy in this way.
In the May g, 1980, issue of the Journal of the American
Medical Association an article entitled “Uremic Pruritus
Treated with Ultraviolet Light” mentions that “The response
to UVB may indicate the deposition of some [toxic] substance
in the skin that is being degraded or inactivated by ultraviolet
light.” It seems to me that referring to a toxic substance in the
skin being degraded or inactivated by any kind of light comes
pretty close to talking about the metabolic process, or biolog¬
ical combustion.
I further quote from an article entitled “Phototoxicity: The
Neglected Factor,” J A.M A., August 3, 1979:
Ignorance of phototoxicity by the general biomedical community consti¬
tutes a health hazard. Certain food colorants and dyes proposed for use
in angiography produce lethal effects in cells and whole organisms on
light exposure but not in the dark. Yet light-relatedness is usually ne¬
glected in toxicity studies. We urge that the specific involvement of light
be considered whenever the toxicity of a light-absorbing substance is
assessed.

The European Society for the Study of Drug Toxicity has

reported that the lethal dose rate for most drugs is higher
 BIOLOGICAL COMBUSTION / 25

when administered during the daytime than during the night.

We also know that light received through the eyes stimulates
the pineal and pituitary glands. These glands control the en¬
docrine system that regulates the production and release of
hormones controlling body chemistry. This would then seem
to me to be a carry-over of the basic principles of photosyn¬
—
thesis in plants sometimes referred to as a conversion of
—
light energy into chemical energy to animal life, a phenome¬
non not heretofore recognized. Thus the wavelengths that are
missing in various types of artificial light or that are filtered
from the spectrum of natural light by window glass,
windshields, eyeglasses (particularly tinted contact lenses or
deeper shades of sunglasses), smog, and even suntan lotions,
are causing a condition of malillumination, similar to the mal¬
nutrition that occurs when there is a lack of a proper nutri¬
tional diet.
Those minerals and chemicals in the individual cells of our
bodies that would normally be metabolized by the
wavelengths that are missing remain in the equivalent of
darkness, even though other wavelengths are present. The
end result is an incomplete metabolic or biological combus¬
tion process.
Viruses are sometimes described as abnormal chemicals or
chemical compounds within the cell. Quite possibly, there
may be a relationship between an incomplete, or unbalanced,
light spectrum and the abnormal cell chemistry associated
with viruses responding through the process of biological
combustion. A direct relationship may even exist between
viruses and electromagnetic energy, including light. Needless
to say, such possibilities should be further studied.
Many doctors refer to cancer as a disease of endocrine im¬
balance. They treat the master endocrine gland, the pituitary,
with drugs or perform surgery without realizing the important
role that light plays in controlling this gland that acts as the
26 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

balance wheel of the endocrine system. Cancer is also often

described as being a growth that has gone wild. Such a condi¬
tion would certainly seem to be directly related to a mixed-up
metabolic or biological combustion process.
In addition to a generally distorted spectrum, all fluores¬
cent lights contain mercury vapor lines that are customarily
shown on wavelength charts as only one one-hundredth of
their true intensity and one hundred times their true width,
in order to represent the same relative energy and show them
on an ordinary-size sheet of paper. This gives a grossly dis¬
torted impression of the intensity of these wavelengths. Other
types of gaseous discharge lights, including mercury vapor,
sodium vapor, and multivapor, also contain very narrow lines
or wavelength peaks.
Like the automobile combustion engine, all systems in
biological combination must be “go” for smooth operation. It
is not possible to say whether fuel, oxygen, or ignition is the
most important. All we know is that, in order to function, an
engine must have all three.
4 KINESIOLOGY

What’s that?” I asked. “How do you spell it? No, I’ve never
heard of it.” The connection isn’t very good. “Can you speak a
little louder? What did you say your name was?” That was my
introduction to kinesiology back in 1977.
Dr. Charles R. Schultheiss had called me from the Salisbury
(Maryland) State College to tell me that he and Brian White had
just completed a study utilizing standard kinesiological muscle
test procedures indicating that photochromic lenses, the kind
that turn darker outdoors, substantially weakened the shoulder
deltoid muscle. He further stated that full-spectrum, neutral
gray lenses did not produce this effect. I was particularly pleased
when he added that reading my book, Health and Light, had
prompted the experiments.
Dr. Schultheiss sent me a copy of his paper, which also in¬
cluded a brief outline on the development of kinesiological mus¬
cle testing methods and their use. He pointed out that Dr.
George J. Goodheart of Detroit was generally considered the
originator of the muscle test method to determine when an
environmental stimulus can be harmful to the body.
28 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

This idea has since been expanded by other researchers in the

field. Goodheart’s original work dealt with the senses of touch
and taste; Schultheiss expanded the technique to include olfac¬
tion. Dr. John Diamond, author of Behavioral Kinesiology, ex¬
panded it to include hearing. These researchers and others have
noted that when a stimulus is harmful to the body, it somehow
will produce an immediate diminution of muscle strength, as
determined by the standard muscle testing techniques of Ken¬
dall, Kendall, and Wadsworth.
Recent findings now indicate that the electromagnetic envi¬
ronment also significantly affects the strength of all muscles,
including the heart muscle. It is not as yet clear just how and
why this happens, but the end result is very positive.
One obvious direct response of the eye to light is the muscle¬
mechanism that opens and closes the iris. Like other biological
responses, it appears to react to certain wavelengths and not just
to light, per se, as compared with darkness. An experiment
involving the placing of an ultraviolet transmitting contact lens
in one eye of a patient and an ultraviolet absorbing contact lens
in the other eye showed the pupils were both the same size
indoors without any ultraviolet light. However, outdoors, in
sunlight, the pupil receiving the ultraviolet was significantly
smaller than the pupil in the eye that received no ultraviolet.
This indicates that the muscle-mechanism controlling the iris
responds to both the visible wavelengths, plus the part of the
spectrum that continues into the near ultraviolet. Accordingly,
this may explain why people wearing ordinary clear eyeglasses
or looking through an automobile windshield that blocks out the
ultraviolet have to squint and suffer eyestrain from too much
fight entering the eye. They then feel the need for dark glasses.
Their pupils remain larger than they normally would under the
same intensity of natural daylight containing the normal amount
of the near ultraviolet.
A major problem with fluorescent lights, as well as with all
 KINESIOLOGY / 29

the other types of gaseous discharge tubes or bulbs, is that they

emit RF radiation beyond the range of visible wavelengths. This
is known to cause computers and scanning equipment used in
hospitals to give erroneous or erratic readout results, which is
why plastic diffusers with a grounded wire grid are recom¬
mended for the fluorescent light fixtures. This RF radiation has
now been found to cause muscle weakness and other physiologi¬
cal and psychological problems as well.
Loss of muscle strength can easily be demonstrated by having
a person stand under ordinary fluorescent light fixtures with his
or her arm held straight forward, palm facing downward. Press
down on the wrist while the person resists, in order to establish
the strength of the shoulder muscle. This should be done first
with the fluorescent lights turned off and then repeated with the
lights turned on. Radiation from fluorescent tubes also weakens
the muscles of the person administering the test. However, the
person pushing downward has a big advantage over the person
resisting upward. Usually, there will be a very noticeable differ¬
ence in the muscle strength.
However, this test does not always work, as there are other
factors grossly affecting muscle strength that must be elimi¬
nated. These include not only such items as ordinary eyeglasses
(especially tinted contact lenses and deeper-colored sunglasses if
the test is done outdoors in natural daylight), but also ionizing-
type smoke detectors within a distance of fifty feet, including
floors above or below test area location. Any wrist watch or
nearby clock with a luminous dial or a battery-operated mecha¬
nism, calculators, video display terminals, microwave ovens,
high-voltage electric transmission lines, certain types of syn¬
thetic clothing (especially vinyl imitation leather, imitation rub¬
ber, and some polyester fabrics), and what the person may have

— —
eaten during the previous three or four hours refined sugar or
white bleached flour, for example will also weaken muscle
strength to the point that there is little left to test.
30 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

The wavelength characteristics of light reflected from differ¬

ent colored walls is similar to that passing through filters of
similar colors and must also be considered. For some unknown
reason, pink and orange produce the greatest loss of strength
and blue the least loss when compared to full-spectrum outdoor
natural daylight. I repeat that the recent swing toward the new,
more efficient, but at the same time grossly distorted pink and
orange spectrum range of sodium vapor lighting raises very seri¬
ous questions about its effect on human health and behavior.
Certain single items that weaken muscle strength will com¬
plement each other when combined and produce a synergistic
effect, while other combinations may counteract each other and
end up producing no effect.
Many abnormal biological effects in both plants and labora¬
tory animals (especially tissue-culture studies) have been shown
to be caused by fluorescent lights. Too often, it seems to me,
these abnormal responses are almost automatically attributed to
ultraviolet wavelengths from the fluorescent tubes.
While the basic principle that makes the fluorescent tubes
work is the mercury arc giving off strong shortwave ultraviolet,
which causes the phosphor coating inside the glass tube to
fluoresce visible wavelengths of fight, the glass, as the earth’s
atmosphere, effectively stops the shortwave ultraviolet. Only
the longer wavelengths of the ultraviolet and visible light pene¬
trate through both the glass and the earth’s atmosphere. Stan¬
dard fluorescent tubes such as cool white, warm white, and
daylight do give off trace amounts of the long-wavelength ul¬
traviolet, but not enough to have any of the beneficial effects of
natural outdoor daylight.
The very thin glass used in fluorescent tubes allows some
long-wavelength ultraviolet to pass through. The thicker glass
used in windows does not. It is similar to placing tissue paper
over a flashlight or a piece of thicker cardboard.
The radiation from the ends of fluorescent tubes will pene-
 KINESIOLOGY / 31

trate aluminum foil but not lead foil, which indicates a “trace
amount of X-rays although at too low a level to be picked up
with existing X-ray measuring equipment. It was while I was
trying to grow geranium plants for On A Clear Day that I
noticed the stunted growth on the plants near the ends of the
fluorescent tubes. Remember, it was not long ago that canary
birds had to be used to detect coal gas in mines.
The cathodes at each end of the tube are the same sort of
device as is used in TV picture tubes and X-ray tubes. However,
fluorescent tubes operate at a much lower voltage and theoreti¬
cally should not give off any X-rays. In the G.E. publication
“Techni Talks,” there was an article not long ago stressing their
quality control in manufacturing the filaments for high voltage
rectifier tubes so that they would be perfectly smooth, since any
rough spot could act as a little point emitter and give off elec¬
trons that could produce X-rays if they happened to hit a metal
target.
One of my time-lapse pictures of a light bulb filament over
the Rill life of the bulb clearly shows the filament starting out
new, shiny, and smooth. But as it gets older, the heat of the
filament is so great that the metal coils of tungsten soon start to
shrivel and get rough, so there are many little bumps and points
that can only be seen with a microscope, like some of those
microscopic antennae on very small insects. In many of the
papers I have published, I have mentioned that old fluorescent
tubes and TV sets seem to give off more radiation than new
ones, as evidenced by the stunted growth of plants. Many
filaments, especially those in fluorescent tubes, are coated with
an electron-emissive material that further compounds the prob¬
lem.
Standing under these regular types of fluorescent tubes,
either with or without special additional plastic shielding de¬
signed to filter out absolutely all of the trace amounts of any
ultraviolet, results in gross loss of muscle strength. When the
32 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

normal proportionate amount of long-wave ultraviolet found in

natural daylight is added and radiation shields are used to stop
the radio frequency and X-ray radiation, then there is no loss of
muscle strength.
This supports my belief that in addition to the distorted vis¬
ible spectrum, some abnormal biological effects caused by ordi¬
nary fluorescent lights are from the radio frequency and X-ray
emissions that are being totally ignored in supposedly controlled
research studies, and not from the virtually nonexistent ul¬
traviolet in standard types of fluorescent tubes.
I repeat that hospitals that have installed electronic fetal
monitoring equipment in their maternity wards are experienc¬
ing an alarming increase in the rate of Caesarian section births,
due to the loss of uterine muscle strength of the mother. loniz-
ing-type smoke detectors, digital wrist watches and polyester
sheets and nightclothing, in addition to ordinary fluorescent
lights, are also especially high on the list of items that weaken
muscle strength, diminish the sex drive, and/or cause impo-
tency.
Cotton sheets and underclothing may help some, but they are
not thick enough to insulate completely the effects of a polyester
mattress, quilt, or outer garment.
All these recent findings are helping to make it possible to
understand more clearly the results of previously reported
studies of the effects of different colors or wavelengths of light on
laboratory animals. Until just recently, such effects could not be
fully explained and were therefore ignored.
 THE ELECTRICAL DIMENSION
5 OF LIVING CELLS

There is a lot to be learned about how light and radiation

affect not only human muscle strength but also general health
and behavior. Nevertheless, the fact that they do have an effect
is now indisputable. What is more difficult to understand is th*
electrical field associated with each living cell. This has beei
shown to exist through Kirlian photography, but what it means
is extremely vague. Psychics claim to be able to see an aura
around the human body, and I am myself now absolutely con¬
vinced that they do, even though I see nothing, however hard I
try. Unfortunately, but understandably, such unscientific obser¬
vations have in the past been placed in the category of the
— —
mysterious and, perhaps, highly suspect supernatural.
But there is something there that can now be demonstrated
through Idnesiological testing of human muscle strength using
an ordinary lightning rod. The most common belief as to how a
lightning rod works is that it is put up on the roof and grounded
with a heavy copper wire so that if lightning happens to strike in
that general area, it will be attracted to the lightning rod and
grounded without causing any damage to the building. How-
34 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

ever, this is not what the people who make them say. Their
explanation is that if lightning hits a lightning rod it is an indica¬
tion it was not properly installed and grounded. The makers
further say that the lightning rod must be pointed so that it will
be more efficient in acting as a point emitter, and grounded so
that it will draw the opposite electrical charge from that of a
cloud approaching overhead. It then discharges this opposite
electric charge from the ground into the air and neutralizes the
charge in the cloud fast enough so that there will be no bolt of
lightning at all.
The existence of an electrical field or dimension in the human
body may be demonstrated by placing a lightning rod against
the chest and pointing it away from the body. It appears to act as
a point emitter and discharges the body’s electrical energy into
the air. The result is a gross loss of muscle strength. If the
lightning rod is turned around and pointed toward the chest, tire
muscle strength immediately returns and in some cases is actu¬
ally enhanced.
A lightning rod placed against the back has a reverse effect.
When pointed away from the body, the muscle strength is
strong, and when pointed toward the back, it is weak.
This reverse response is in keeping with the ancient Chinese
Yin Yang theory dealing with body energy. According to the Yin
Yang theory, the front part of the human body possesses a
negative electrical charge and the back possesses a positive
charge.
Negative ions are thought to give the body energy and posi¬
tive ions are thought to bring on fatigue and even depression.
Accordingly, the loss of negative ions from the front of the body
through the lightning rod could explain the muscle-weakening
effect. However, when the lightning rod is turned around and
pointed toward the front of the body, it would increase its
electrical charge, which is negative, and thus increase muscle
strength. By placing the lightning rod against the back, the
 electrical dimension of living cells / 35
positive ions would be emitted from
the point, thus increasing
the overall ratio of negative ions in the body. If we turn it
around again, so that the point is against the back, then the
electrical charge or dimension of the back would be increased.
This would build up the overall ratio of positive ions so as to
cause muscle weakness, depression, and so on. The Yin Yang
theory also relates other specific parts of the body to positive or
negative electrical charges.
Interestingly, this effect of a lightning rod on human muscle
strength frequently occurs only during the period from sunrise
until sunset, and has no effect during the dark nighttime period.
The phenomenon becomes even more interesting when we
compare this daytime response with the fact that commercial
radio stations are required to reduce their broadcast power at
sundown because of a change that takes place in the ionosphere,
which directly affects radio broadcasting conditions during the
nighttime period. Many radio stations are required to go off the
air completely until sunrise the following day.
The lightning rod-muscle test experiment is influenced by the
level of negative ions in the air and wall not work if a negative ion
generator is operating nearby. However, this may be caused by
the unshielded high-voltage electric circuit of the generator an
not by the negative ions that are generated.
Nor does the lightning rod test work in a large building o
steel construction, where a portable radio is also inoperative.
Other electronic equipment or devices, including fluorescent
lights, ionizing-type smoke detectors, black-and-white, but not
color, TV sets, video display terminals, calculators, and clothing
made of synthetic material (especially vinyl imitation leather,
and polyester), will also prevent the lightning rod test from
working.
In this connection I might mention that the results o
acupuncture treatments vary between day and night and even at
different times of day. Also interesting is the fact that acupunc-
36 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

ture needles are always made of metal, as are antennae for

either receiving or broadcasting radio, TV, or microwaves. Ob¬
viously, a piece of grocery string or a wooden rod would not
work as an antenna. Nevertheless, insect antennae are a non-
—
metal biological material and they work.
Dr. Philip Callahan of the Insect Attractants, Behavior and
Basic Biology Research Laboratory, U. S. Department of Ag¬
riculture, and the University of Florida, Gainesville, has done
some remarkable work in developing methods of insect control
alternative to chemical pesticides. He has measured the fre¬
quencies that various plants and insects radiate and has made
miniature transmitters, utilizing a wax candle to duplicate the
frequencies. He has attracted moths and ants to the frequencies
that mimic moth sex scents (pheromones) and certain plant at¬
tractant scents. The wavelengths emit in the far infrared portion
of the spectrum.
He demonstrated that the insect antenna is made of non-
metallic biological material and can receive the long-wavelength
infrared radiation. His further studies revealed that the insect
antennae contained many minute wax glands that keep the an¬
tennae coated with wax. Wax is known to be a material capable
of guiding electromagnetic waves along a surface without actu¬
ally conducting them the way metal does. Dr. Callahan states
that wax acts as a wave guide not only for electromagnetic
waves, but also for acoustical sound waves.
With this in mind, and mindful of the fact that animals have
wax only in the ear canal, I decided to try a little experiment. I
coated the ear canal of both my ears with beeswax. The result
was a significant improvement in my hearing.
However, there were complications. Beeswax is normally
quite a hard substance, and to soften it, I tried heating it. To
make it soft enough to apply with a cotton Q-tip applicator, it
was necessary to heat it to the point where it was uncomfortably
hot. I checked the contents of several liquid wax furniture
polishes and found the thinner generally used is turpentine or
 ELECTRICAL DIMENSION OF LIVING CELLS I 37

other solvents that would be very harsh if applied to the ear

canal.
I then tried thinning the beeswax with glycerine, which has
long been used as ear drops, especially with children. However,
glycerine will not mix with beeswax, even when heated to high
temperatures.
I asked my local pharmacist if he knew what could be used as
a thinner for beeswax other than turpentine. He looked the
matter up in a large reference book and advised me that natural
vegetable oils would mix with beeswax. Accordingly, I tried
t pure olive oil and found that this worked fine, but when I
applied it to my ears, it caused severe itching. I next tried using
castor oil, which also worked fine in thinning the beeswax, and
caused only very minor itching. I added lanolin to the mixture
and found that this not only eliminated the itching problem, but
also seemed to improve my hearing even more. I have tried
mixing various amounts of these ingredients and find that one-
third beeswax, one-third castor oil, and one-third lanolin by
volume seem to give the most satisfactory results. I call this
mixture “Hear Wax.”
At the age of seventy-two, I am well aware that my hearing
ability has been deteriorating for several years, and is not as
good as it used to be. An examination by my otolaryngologist
indicates a hearing loss of approximately 50 percent from nor¬
mal. Audiograms made with and without the use of “Hear Wax”
show no significant difference. However, this may be due to the
normally very close position of the ear phones and the sound
being directed right at the ear drum. Furthermore, the words
spoken on the audio records are clearly enunciated and there is
no background noise.
The benefit of using “Hear Wax” is noticed most when a
number of people are all talking at the same time in a room or
when one is in an open space with a high background noise
level.
Also, during these past years, I have been aware of a very
38 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

noticeable decrease in the amount of wax discharged from my

ears. On the other hand, too much wax, especially if it is dry and
hard, can plug up the ear canal and block the sound waves, and
—
should be removed. Remember too much of anything can be
bad.
I got in touch with my patent attorney, and he had a search
made of the records in the Patent Office. The searcher reported
all kinds of patents issued on various methods of getting rid of
the wax from the ear, but nothing about trying to put wax in. He
also wanted to double check to see if he understood correctly
that I really wanted to put more wax into the ear.
While synthetic materials such as vinyl imitation leather and
polyester do not actually conduct electricity, they apparently act
as a wave guide material that negates the lightning rod experi¬
ment and also weakens the human muscle strength.
A metal wire rod pyramid with a base approximately ten
inches square can be used in place of the lightning rod and will
produce the same results affecting muscle strength. This clearly
demonstrates that there is something to the very controversial
claim for some sort of pyramid power. As an experiment, I made
a similar-sized pyramid out of wooden dowel rod and it would
not work, but when I coated it with beeswax it did.
Holding an ordinary lead pencil in the normal writing position
also grossly weakens muscle strength. The graphite lead down
the middle of the wooden pencil acts as a wave guide-point
emitter, the same as the wax coating on the wooden pyramid.
But the pencil must be sharpened to act as a point emitter. If it
is flat across the writing end, it does not cause any muscle
weakness. It makes no difference whether or not there is a
standard type of rubber eraser on the other end. A wax or
“grease” pencil also has the same muscle-weakening effect.
However, if either the lead or the wax pencil is pointed at
both ends, the energy point emitter action is equalized or can¬
celled so that there is no weakening of the muscle strength.
Also, if the metal sleeve that holds the rubber eraser is cut or
 ELECTRICAL DIMENSION OF LIVING CELLS / 39

notched to make one or more triangle shapes pointing away

from the end of the pencil, the points so created will also act as
energy equalizers and there will be no loss of muscle strength.
Ordinary metal eyeglass frames also cause muscle weakness
when worn in the usual position across the bridge of the nose
with the temples extending back along each side of the head to
the ears. However, if a piece of metal wire is used to connect
the end of each temple around the back of the head, thus cir¬
cling the head completely with the metal, the effect is equalized
and normal muscle strength results.
The following simple and somewhat unscientific muscle test
procedure has done more to convince skeptical people that light
and low-level radiation really do have a direct effect on the
human system than all the articles that have been published.
I call this procedure “simple and somewhat unscientific" be¬
—
cause that is just what it is simple and somewhat unscientific.
As mentioned in Chapter 4, it consists of pressing down on
someone s wrist (with the arm extended and the palm facing
down) to test the shoulder muscle strength while the person
being tested tries to resist. This test works providing the mus¬
cles of the person being tested are not already weakened by any $
of the many items previously mentioned, including digital wrist <5
watches, nearby smoke detectors, contact with anything made
of polyester or vinyl material, and others. The difference in a
person’s muscle strength is usually gross and unmistakable. In
most cases, it is so obvious that a pressure-measuring device is
not necessary. However, it is surprising how much difference
there is in the muscle strength of the individuals of any group
selected at random. Some people, both male and female, have
surprisingly weak muscles; others have exceptionally strong
ones. Naturally, the test works best on people with reasonably
strong muscles, as there is a much more noticeable difference
between their strong and weak conditions than is the case with
someone who has very little strength to begin with.
One drawback to the test is that it is difficult to be absolutely
40 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

sure that the person has had no contact with muscle-weakening

items. For example, even if you ask the person being tested all
the questions about digital watches, polyester clothing, and
whether or not he had anything to eat or drink containing
refined white sugar during the past four to six hours, he may not
be certain or may have forgotten about sucking a sugar-coated
gumdrop or hard candy or cough drops an hour before.
Several medical equipment companies have started making a
very sensitive meter to measure more accurately and
scientifically the exact pressure required to push a person’s arm
down. However, this can be self-defeating, since the pounds-
pressure reading is shown by a digital read-out that weakens the
muscles of both the person being tested and the tester, just as
muscles are weakened by the new-type monitoring equipment
used in the maternity and cardiac wards of many hospitals. One
such scientifically designed pressure-measuring device that I
witnessed being used also had a padded pressure sensor that
was placed on the person’s wrist, and the padding material used
was made of vinyl.
Another published report mentioned having the person being
tested either sit on a padded wooden chair or lie down on a
padded wooden table in order to test arm and leg muscles in
different positions. The test results showed very little difference
in muscle strength from the results obtained when looking at
either a blue or pink card. The padding material was later found
to be made of vinyl.
Another researcher reported significant differences in shoul¬
der muscle strength when the colored cards were placed on a
wooden rack on top of a wooden table. However,- the distance
from the cards to the eyes could vary considerably, depending
on just where the person being tested might stand. Accordingly,

——
to gain a better control of such possible variables and before
any significant number of tests was completed a special alumi¬
num tubular frame was designed to hold the colored cards in
exactly the same position and distance from the eyes for each
 ELECTRICAL DIMENSION OF LIVING CELLS /
41
test. It was so made as to go over the head of the person being
tested and rest on the shoulders, with supports down both the
front and back to hold it firmly in place. It did hold the different
colored cards in exactly the same position in relation to the
person’s eyes for each test, but after a statistically significant
number of tests had been completed and run through the com¬
puter, it was evident that the magnitude of color effect differ¬
ences was very small.
To satisfy my own curiosity, I constructed a similar metal
frame out of heavy solid wire and discovered that when such a
frame made of either solid or tubular metal is placed over the
shoulders and down both the front and back for a distance of
about eighteen inches, there is gross loss of all muscle strength
in the person being tested. Apparently the device short cir¬
cuits” the different front and back polarity fields of the human
body. This weakening effect seems to relate closely to the simi¬
lar muscle-weakening effects of the lightning rod, pyramid,
pencil, metal eyeglass frames, and prongs on a ring. leacj
As if tilings like aluminum frames or sitting on a vinyl-padded

— —
table, in addition to all the other items smoke detectors, di¬
gital watches, and the like were not enough to boggle your
mind, there is also a problem with shades of color. Two pink
cards look exactly alike, but one grossly weakens the muscle
strength and the other does not. One skeptical onlooker com¬
mented, “This proves the whole thing is a crazy idea, and obvi¬
ously due to some psychological cause such as self-hypnosis.
Well, I didn’t know quite how to reply to that remark. How¬
ever, I thought about it that night, and by early morning I
suddenly realized that pink is not always true pink, but might be
a light red. For some as yet unexplained reason, orange and
pink are the two colors that cause gross loss of muscle strength.
But yellow and red, the two colors on either side of orange and
pink in the rainbow order of colors in the total spectrum, do not
cause similar weakness.
The visual function of the eye can mix colors. If a fast-rotating v
y fix
OF
42 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

disk is half blue and half yellow, the result will appear green.
Blue and yellow paint mixed together will appear green. It is the
same with other colors. Yellow and red will look orange, but a
spectro-analysis of such combinations of colors will still show two
separate peaks of energy of the two original wavelengths of the
colors involved. The spectro-analysis will not show the true
wavelength of orange or pink or whatever the mixture of colors
may appear to the eye.
To test this further, I bought cans of red, white, pink, yellow,
and orange paint. I made certain they were the true colors and
not blends, as some paints are these days. Then I painted pieces
of cardboard each of the various colors. Those painted true
orange or pink caused gross loss of muscle strength. And those
painted red, yellow, or white did not. Those painted with a
mixture of red and white that looked very close to the true pink
?olor had no muscle-weakening effect, nor did the combination
f red and yellow that came so close to the true orange that it
/as difficult to tell them apart.
Thus, while the eye will combine colors, the effect of such
combinations of colors apparently still reacts on the retinal hy¬
pothalamic endocrine or energetic system as the specific
wavelengths of the colors they really are. A mixture of red and
white that looks pink is not the same wavelength of the elec¬
tromagnetic spectrum as that of true pink, and once again, a
very embarrassing situation seems to have been logically ex¬
plained.
A controlled study conducted in a Sarasota, Florida grade
school by the Environmental Health and Light Research In¬
stitute indicated that when radiation shields and full¬
spectrum fluorescent lights that cause no loss of muscle
strength were used, the hyperactive children quieted down,
overcame learning disabilities, and developed one-third
fewer cavities in their teeth. Their academic level showed an
increase over the control group of children who remained
 ELECTRICAL DIMENSION OF LIVING CELLS / 43
under standard cool-white fluorescent lights without radiation
shields.
This indicates that electrical stresses caused by ordinary
fluorescent lights or lead pencils, as well as all the other
things that weaken the muscle system, may also affect the
brain and its ability to function at full capacity. There must be
some reason why the test scores of the College Board Scho¬
lastic Aptitude Tests taken by high school seniors have shown
a steady decline for the past seventeen years. Also, during
this same period vandalism and violence have shown an
alarming increase. More and more stories appear in the press
about physical attacks on teachers, the need for armed guards
to patrol the school corridors, and the installation of metal
detectors such as those used in airports to check students
every morning as they come to school.
A 1980 report of the California Department of Education
indicated that the decline of children’s scores on school
achievement tests is closely related to the amount of time
they spend watching television each day.
More than half a million public school pupils were sur¬
veyed, and their scores on the state’s sixth- and twelth-grade
achievement tests were correlated with their TV watching
habits. The survey found that sixth-graders who watched TV
an hour or less a day scored about seven percent higher than
those who spent four hours or more a day in front of the
cathode-ray picture tube. Test scores declined greatly for all
children who viewed television more than three hours a day.
For high school seniors, the scores fell in almost direct rela¬
tion to the amount of time they spent watching television.
Twelfth-graders watching TV six hours a day or more scored
about fourteen percent lower in all areas than those who
watched TV an hour or less a day.
The buds of some nocturnal or night-blooming plants will
open only during the dark nighttime period, whether or not
44 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

they are placed in a dark closet during the day. This suggests
that the opening action of these buds is not due to the absence
of visible light, but rather the presence of some form of night¬
time radiation that could very easily penetrate ordinary build¬
ing materials as readily as visible light comes in through the
window glass.
A possible explanation for some sort of nighttime radiation
that is not present in the daytime might be derived from Van
Allen’s suggestion that the solar winds, consisting of charged
particles emitted continuously from the sun at velocities vary¬
ing from 670,000 to 1,600,000 miles per hour, compress into a
rounded thin layer on the daylight side of the earth and sweep
into a long tail on the night side. Van Allen further suggests
that the earth’s magnetic field causes a positive electrical
charge on the morning side of the boundary and a negative
charge on the opposite or evening side.
1
This ties into the question of what actually goes on while a
person sleeps. Does sleep merely represent a period of rest
and relaxation? Or is it possibly a process of charging the
electrical dimension in the body with nighttime radiation that
supplies body energy during the daytime?
As discussed more fully in Health and Light, the chloro¬
plasts in the cells of Elodea grass will continue their streaming
process for about a day. They then run down like a dead
battery and refuse to continue streaming until they have had
their normal full dark nighttime period, regardless of how
much the light intensity may be increased. When I took sev¬
eral plants down to the bottom of a coal mine, six hundred and
fifty feet below the surface of the earth, in order to shield
them from the general background nighttime radiation, none
of their sensitive responses to being touched would function
normally the next morning.
Drug-induced sleep is known to be less beneficial than
natural sleep. My feeling about tranquilizers is that they sim-
 ELECTRICAL DIMENSION OF LIVING CELLS / 45
ply dull your reactions to stresses that would normally
be very
disturbing. It is distressing to see elderly people in retire¬
ment homes spending so much of their time watching TV
under fluorescent lights. It is even more distressing to hear
reports from nurses working in these areas increasing early
of
senility and growing use of tranquilizers. Of course, essen¬
tially the same problem exists for office workers, also under
fluorescent lights, looking into video display terminals all day.
Tinted glass windows, such as are used in new office buildings
and air traffic control towers, further compound the basic
stress factor. During 1979, the sales of only one brand of a
popular tranquilizer soared to over four billion tablets, indi¬
cating to me that there must be a rising stress factor to con¬
tend with. Perhaps the expression “the last spark of life”
should be taken more literally, for it appears to be this elec¬
trical dimension that makes the difference between a living
cell and a dead one.
 THE THEORY OF
MULTIFREQUENCY
6 INTERACTION

The absorption- and reflection-frequency characteristics, in¬

cluding the frequency harmonics of all matter interacting be¬
tween two or more substances, will influence the overall electric
potential of the combined mass. This includes living matter.
Frequencies affect the electric dimensions of living cells in a way
that directly influences human muscle strength, and may cause
pathological disorders. Some frequencies may complement each
other and result in a synergistic response, whereas others may
counteract each other and result in no discernible response.
This is really not as complicated as it may sound. It merely
states that every basic substance or element has its own fre¬
quency or electrical wavelength vibration that it gives off or
radiates.
We are affected by such ingredients as sugar, starch, protein,
various minerals, artificial coloring materials, chemical preserva¬
tives, and all the other substances that go into the food we
consume. And we are also affected by the materials used in
making clothing and by the objects we come in contact with.
Somehow, the combined frequencies of the overall mass of indi-
 THEORY OF MULTIFREQUENCY INTERACTION I 47
vidual items has an effect on the electric dimension of living
cells.
Food does not have to be eaten to affect muscle strength. The
same food can produce a muscle-weakening effect even when it
is not eaten. For example, if a small amount, half a teaspoon or
less, of refined white sugar is placed under the tongue or dissol¬
ved in water and swallowed, muscle strength will be diminished
for approximately four hours. If a small paper packet of refined
white sugar, such as is commonly available in restaurants, is
placed on the wrist or held against the forehead or navel, it will
immediately cause gross loss of muscle strength. As soon as the
packet of sugar is removed, the muscle strength returns to nor¬
mal. If the person administering the muscle test holds the pack¬
et of refined white sugar in the left hand and presses down on
tlie wrist of a second person being tested with the right hand,
there will be not only a weakening of the muscles of the person
holding the sugar, but also of the muscles of the second person
being tested.
The person holding the sugar can also hold one hand of a third
person, who, in turn, holds the hands of several more people, so
that the last person in the chain uses the remaining hand to i
press down the wrist of the person being tested. The result is
that all those involved will lose muscle strength. If any one or '
more of the people in the chain happens to be wearing a digital
) _
wrist watch or polyester clothes, the entire group will be af¬
fected. This is what is referred to as the “combined mass” in the
theory of multifrequency interaction. Such a transfer of energy
is like an electric transfusion, similar to giving a blood transfu¬
sion, and I believe gives some scientific credibility to the reli¬
gious practice of the laying on of hands. It is similar to the effect
of pointing the lightning rod, pyramid, lead pencil, or acupunc¬
ture needles toward the body.
As mentioned above, the sugar must be the white refined
kind. Sugar “in the raw,” partially refined and light brown in
48 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

color, or regular brown sugar, does not cause muscle weak¬

ness. The partially refined sugar has not had the molasses
removed, and brown sugar is simply white refined sugar with
some molasses put back in. It appears to be the molasses that
makes the difference. A similar additive to the formula of
polyester, vinyl or other synthetic plastics might conceivably
eliminate the muscle weakening they cause.
White refined sugar is very commonly used as a placebo.
White bleached flour is also sometimes used as a placebo.
White flour produces the same muscle weakness as white
sugar, whereas whole wheat flour does not.
Oddly enough, white refined sugar does not weaken the
muscles under ordinary fluorescent lights. Neither does one
of the popular drinks containing sugar that is supposed to give
instant energy to athletes. But that is under fluorescent lights.
—
Out on the football field is an entirely different matter weak
muscles!
Another popular thirst quencher especially formulated for
athletes, but containing more minerals and no sugar, tests
strong under both fluorescent lights (as might be the case in
the locker room) and outdoors on the field under daylight.
To complicate matters further, the weak or strong condition
of all the muscles is also drastically affected by whether the
— —
athletic field football, baseball, or whatever is natural
grass or artificial turf made of plastic. Even the kind of turf the
players stand on and the type of material their shoes are made
of become part of the “entire mass” that involves the theory of
multifrequency interaction. The increasing number of in¬
juries may well be related to the weak-muscle problem, as
most injuries seem to consist of torn ligaments and strained
muscles. Sore feet, aching back, and the feeling of exhaustion
at the end of the day have all been reported to me by house¬
wives working on kitchen floors made of vinyl tile or even just
wearing shoes with vinyl soles.
 THEORY OF MULTIFREQUENCY INTERACTION / 49

Other problems possibly related to weak muscles include

such things as having to go to the bathroom more frequently
at night, as a result of sleeping between polyester sheets.
What weakens the arm, leg, and heart muscles undoubtedly
also weakens the muscles controlling the bladder. Who would
think that picking up a lead pencil or walking past a smoke
detector, stepping on a vinyl floor in the kitchen, or eating
some microwave-cooked foods could make you suddenly have
to go?
The dose rate for some glandular extracts, vitamins, en¬
zymes, and other medications is now being determined
through kinesiological methods. There appears to be a direct
muscle-strength reaction to the amount of the medication
held in the palm of the hand, depending on the wavelengths
of light and/or electromagnetic radiation to which the patient
is being exposed while the test is being conducted.
Under certain types of artificial light sources that lack the
wavelengths that the medication being tested reacts to, the
test may indicate a need for a high dose rate to obtain maxi¬
mum muscle strength. But under a full-spectrum light source
or natural outdoor daylight containing all the wavelengths,
the muscle test method may show full muscle strength with¬
out the need of any of the specific medication. The muscle
test method may prove to be an excellent way of testing drugs
for undesirable side effects in specific individuals.
The list of items that cause muscle weakness goes on and
on. Commercially made cigarettes weaken muscles, whether
smoked or just held in the hand. However, cigars, pipe to¬
bacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, and tobacco for rolling your
own cigarettes do not weaken muscle strength. I have been
told by a friend whose family was formerly in the cigarette
business that the tobacco used for the manufacture of ciga¬
rettes is treated with an insecticide to control a tobacco weevil
that otherwise eats holes in the cigarette paper and makes the
50 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

product unsalable. Also, at one time cigarette tobacco was

treated with a chemical to make it burn more evenly. Perhaps
it still is.
I wrote to five of the popular-brand cigarette manufacturers
about this. Three replied, denying emphatically that their
companies treated the tobacco with any chemical pesticides.
One reply did go on to explain that the tobacco weevil was
kept under control through fumigation by the warehouse men
during the storing and aging of the leaf. The letter empha¬
sized that great care was exercised to use only chemicals and
concentrations approved by the United States Department of
Agriculture. All three letters denied that any chemicals were
used to make the cigarette tobacco burn more evenly.
I called the Surgeon General’s office and spoke with several
people in different departments. The consensus was that the
health hazard warning was required only on machine-
manufactured cigarettes, because available research data indi¬
cated a higher lung cancer rate only with this particular to¬
bacco product. It is suggested that cigarette smokers inhale
more smoke than pipe and cigar smokers. No one in the
—
Surgeon General’s office or those answering my letters
gave me any information about any treatment of tobacco used
—
in manufacturing cigarettes that differed from the manufac¬
ture of other tobacco products. The unexplained fact remains
that only machine-manufactured cigarettes weaken the mus¬
cles when standard kinesiological tests are used.
I can still remember clearly my father telling me over fifty
years ago that cigarettes were thought to cause lung cancer
but cigars did not. He said the two main reasons given for this
belief were that some people thought cigarette smokers were
apt to inhale more smoke, and others thought the higher
cancer risk might be caused by the chemicals in the cigarette
paper. However, holding a package of roll-your-own cigarette
papers in the hand does not cause any muscle weakness. It is
 THEORY OF MULTIFREQUENCY INTERACTION / 51

of particular interest that the more recent health hazard warn¬

ing of the Surgeon General is required only on packages of
manufactured cigarettes.
Perhaps even more alarming is the recent health hazard
warning of the Government’s Center for Disease Control that
the use of Rely brand tampons is related to a high increase in
the rate of illness in young women known as the toxic shock
syndrome, an illness that can lead to sudden sickness and
death. Once again, the simple muscle test shows that just
holding a package of this particular brand of tampon in the
hand causes gross muscle weakness, whereas another brand
tested did not.
Preliminary results of one study at the Federal Center for
Disease Control in Atlanta suggest that some synthetic fibers
inhibit the ability of white blood cells to kill the bacteria that
are thought to be responsible for toxic shock syndrome. The
manufacturers of Rely originally advertised that everything
about their product was different, the shape (pointed), the
material (new synthetic fiber), and so on.
Accumulating evidence further suggests that what weakens
muscle strength and possibly inhibits the normal action of
white blood cells may also have a depressing effect on the
normal functioning and regularity of the entire digestive sys¬
tem. If so, then logically it could also affect the muscle tone
and tissue structure relating to such problems as hernias and
hemorrhoids.
Magnetic fields also affect muscle strength. If a normally
right-handed person holds both arms straight forward and
cups the palm of the left hand over the top of the right hand,
the muscle strength of both arms will be high. By simply
rearranging the hands so that the palm of the right hand cups
over the top of the left hand, the muscle strength of both arms
will be low. With a left-handed person, the matter of left-right
is reversed.
52 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

If either a right- or left-handed person places either hand

on either wrist of another person who may be either right- or
left-handed and there is no other weakening factor such as
fluorescent lights, digital watch, smoke detector, synthetic
clothes or floor, the muscle will test strong. However, if the
person doing the testing uses two hands, so that there are
three layers (two hands and one wrist), the situation becomes
quite complicated.
Opposite N-S poles of a magnet attract and the same poles
repel each other. Thus, if both persons involved are right-
handed, the hands must be placed R-L-R or L-R-L for the
muscle to be strong. If they are placed R-R-L or L-L-R, the
muscle will be weak. But the magnetic polarity fields are
reversed between right- and left-handed persons. If a right-
handed person is testing a left-handed person, or vice versa,
the arrangement must be R-R-L or L-L-R for the muscle to be
strong and R-L-R or L-R-L for weak.
Further confirmation that top and bottom sides of the hand
possess opposite magnetic polarity can be demonstrated by
turning any one of the hands in the stack of three over and the
strong-weak condition of the muscle will be reversed.
A similar muscle-weakening effect will result if a person
holds a straight bar magnet in the right hand with the South
Pole against the palm of the hand and the North Pole pointing
in the same direction as the fingers. By simply reversing the
magnet so that the North Pole is pointed into the palm and
the South Pole is pointed in the same direction as the fingers,
the muscle strength will be high. When you switch the mag¬
net to the left hand, the same polarity positions produce the
opposite effects on the muscle strength. With a left-handed
person similar weak-strong muscle conditions will occur, ex¬
cept that the North-South polarity position of the magnet is
the opposite of that of a right-handed person.
Placing the bar magnet on the top of the hand and fingers
 THEORY OF MULTIFREQUENCY INTERACTION I 53
instead of underneath again reverses the weak-strong muscle
reactions. This would seem further to confirm that the two
sides, that is, top and bottom, of the hand have opposite
polarity fields in accordance with the Yin Yang theory.
Tn doing this test it is important to identify the poles of the
magnet. On some bar magnets the North Pole is marked with
an N and the South Pole with an S. Others magnets use
compass markings. The N is on the end that points north
when placed on a pivot. This means it is actually the South
Pole of the magnet, because it is the opposite poles that at¬
tract each other.
Either pole of a magnet placed against the ear will weaken
muscle strength. This includes the little magnets in telephone
receivers and hearing aids. This is another reason for using
“Hear Wax” instead of hearing aids that have magnets in
them.
The intensity of frequencies from man-made electrical de¬
vices like fluorescent lights, digital watches, ionizing smoke
detectors, microwave ovens, video display terminals, and
synthetic materials is greater than normally found in nature or
natural substances, and has a greater effect on the electric
dimension of the living cell.
Speaking of microwave ovens, I have long thought that they
— —
ruined the taste of many foods especially meat and have
wondered if they actually might be detrimental to the quality
of the food. However, since reading an article entitled “Effect
of Packaging Material on Light Induced Quality Deterioration
of Milk” by Drs. A. Sattar and J. M. deMan in the Canadian
Institute of Food and Technology Journal (Vol. 6 No. 3, 1973),
I have been giving the subject a lot more thought. Drs. Sattar
and de Man state it is generally recognized that light-induced
reactions have a damaging effect on the quality of a variety of
foods, especially those containing fat. The problem is becom¬
ing increasingly serious because of the high intensities of
54 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

fluorescent light used for the illumination of display cases in

supermarkets. Flavor changes that become evident after the
exposure of milk to light have been repeatedly described.
Reported results are confused by differences in the terminol¬
ogy used to characterize the flavors caused by photo-oxidation
of proteins or amino acids and lipids.
Since milk is an important part of our food supply, any loss
of nutritional value constitutes a serious problem. Changes in
the packaging materials used for milk, especially the introduc¬
tion of the clear plastic pouch pack, have greatly aggravated
this problem.
A more recent study by Drs. Sattar and deMan on the
influence of fluorescent light on vitamin A and Beta-carotene
in milk fat was conducted at the University of Guelph in
Canada. It was found that a loss of Beta-carotene in milk fat
was caused by wavelengths less than 465 nm, and vitamin A
was destroyed by wavelengths between 415 and 465 nm. It
was concluded that these losses could be reduced by blocking
the wavelengths of light below 465 nm through proper con¬
tainers.
The 1973 study by these two investigators was undertaken
to evaluate the effect of light under average display conditions
on the quality of milk packaged in four different types of
containers. Milk was exposed to fluorescent light at intensities
of 100- or 200-foot candles at a temperature of 5°C for periods
of three, six, twelve, or twenty-four hours. The samples, as
well as unexposed controls, were analyzed for ascorbic acid
and riboflavin content, and examined for flavor changes by a
duo-trio taste panel difference test. Four packaging materials
were used: clear pouch, opaque pouch, carton, and plastic
jug. Light transmittance of the packaging materials in the
spectral range of 380-750 nm was determined. Off-flavor was
detected in all containers, and significant losses of ascorbic
acid and riboflavin occurred in all containers except the opa¬
que pouch.
 THEORY OF MULTIFREQUENCY INTERACTION / 55
Light intensities of 100 or 200 ft-c are now quite common in
supermarkets. A survey of the supermarkets in the city of
Guelph indicated that light intensity levels in the milk display
cases, at the location of the packages closest to the light
source, ranged from 25 to 500 ft-c. Levels of 100 to 200 ft-c
were common, but many stores had levels from 400 to 500
ft-c. At such high light intensities, deterioration will be even
more rapid than was the case in this study.
It is apparent from the information obtained in this study
that several of the commonly used packaging materials for
milk are inadequate in protecting this food from loss in flavor
quality as well as nutritional value. Relatively simple and in¬
expensive changes in packaging materials may bring about a
greatly reduced light transmittance which will ensure flavor
quality and retention of light-sensitive vitamins.

Ascorbic Acid Content (mg/ml) of Milk Before and After

Exposure to Fluorescent Light for 24 Hours in Different
Packaging Materials
BEFORE EXPOSURE EXPOSURE AT
PACKAGE EXPOSURE 100 FT-C 200 FT-C
Clear Pouch 12-34 1.12 0.92
Opaque Pouch 12-34 IO.74 10.22
Carton 12.57 9.60 8.68
Plastic Jug 12.34 I.70 1.28

Riboflavin Content (ug/ml) of Milk Before and After Expo¬

sure to Fluorescent Light for 24 Hours in Different Packaging
Materials
BEFORE EXPOSURE AT EXPOSURE AT
PACKAGE EXPOSURE 100 FT-C 200 FT-C
Clear Pouch i-75 I.36 1.26
Opaque Pouch i-75 i-74 i-73
Carton 1.82 i-7i 1.65
Plastic Jug 1.80 1.60 1.56
56 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Several additional articles of interest on this subject are:

Stull, J. W. “The Effect of Light on Activated Flavour

Development and the Constituents of Milk and Its Products.”
J . Dairy Sci., 26:11, 1953.
Wildbrett, G. "The Effect of Light on Milk and Its Protection
Against Light.” Milchwissenschaft, 15:21, i960.
Sattar, A., deMan, J. M. “Wavelength Effect on Light-
Induced Decomposition of Vitamin A and B-carotene in
Solutions and Milk Fat.” J. Inst. Can. Sci. Technol. Ailment
10(1): 56-60, 1977.

Another interesting study conducted at the Chelsea, Mas¬

sachusetts, Soldiers Home has shown that the body absorbs
calcium more efficiently when individuals are exposed to an
artificial sunlight environment than when they are exposed to
cool-white fluorescent tubes.
I have been wondering for a long time about what micro¬
wave radiation might do to the nutritional value of various
foods. I had done the muscle test on a number of people
standing in front of many different makes and models of
microwave ovens, and have not found one oven yet that does
not grossly weaken the muscles within a distance of six feet or
more (and ranging up to as far as approximately sixty feet).
The amount of radiation also varies, depending on what is
being cooked in the oven at the time of the muscle test. So
many people have asked me what microwave cooking does to
the food itself that I went to a nearby fast-food restaurant and
—
bought two hamburgers-deluxe lettuce, tomato, onions,
ketchup, mustard, and a quarter pound of beef steak, all on a
bun. I asked that one be cooked in their microwave oven and
that the other be given to me uncooked and still frozen solid.
Each was in a similar paper bag.
 THEORY OF MULTIFREQUENCY INTERACTION I 57

I asked three very strong, muscular, athletic young men to

hold each bag, one at a time, in their hands while I did the
muscle-test on them. To my amazement, each of the three
young men muscle-tested strong while holding the uncooked,
still frozen hamburger, and extremely weak with the micro-
wave-cooked hamburger. I then cooked the frozen hambur¬
ger in an iron frying pan on a standard electric stove burner
and repeated the muscle test on the same three men. Again
all three tested strong holding the conventionally cooked de¬
luxe hamburger with all the same trimmings and extremely
weak holding the microwave-cooked deluxe hamburger!
These results certainly need further follow-up and study.
Another test I did involving cooking had to do with mar¬
garine. Although I had no specific scientific reference, I had
heard many doctors say that the ordinary temperatures used

— —
in cooking food in the conventional way that is, not using a
microwave oven would affect the chemistry of polyun¬
saturated fats. After all, polyunsaturated margarine is a pro¬
cessed and refined natural fat that might be likened to refined
white sugar or flour.
Again, using the simple muscle test, I found that either just
holding an unopened package of a popular brand of margarine
in the hand or swallowing a small amount of it would cause
gross muscle weakening, whereas equal amounts of fresh
dairy butter produced no such effects.
Next, I heated a one-quarter pound stick of the margarine
in a stainless steel saucepan on a conventional electric stove
and let it boil for approximately three minutes. After it had
cooled down considerably, but was still in a liquid state, I
poured it into a form made from the cardboard box that the
margarine came in and placed it in the refrigerator to solidify.
In approximately one hour I repeated the muscle test with the
“cooked” margarine and the results showed no loss of muscle
strength.
 58 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Shortly thereafter I read a most interesting article entitled

“Is Margarine Worse Than Butter? Polyunsaturated Fats May
Be Doing Us More Harm Than Cholesterol” by Albert Rosen¬
feld. The article, which appeared in the “Lifelines” section of
the September 1981 issue of Science tells of the research work
being done by biochemist Harry Demopoulos and his col¬
leagues at the New York University Medical Center and by
biochemist Ronald Estabrook of the University of Texas
Health Sciences Center in Dallas. The article mentions that
the problem with polyunsaturates seems to be that they in¬
crease abnormally the number of so-called free radicals,
which are by-products of each cell’s normal oxidation reac¬
tion. These extra pieces, broken off from their parent
molecules, are left with highly unstable electronic
configurations. To me, “oxidation reaction” and “electronic
configurations” sound a little like my reference to “biological
combustion.”
The article then goes on to discuss how this process might
go so far as to affect the cells’ DNA. It stresses how ironic it
would be if man, in trying to reduce the cholesterol level in
the blood to prevent atherosclerosis and heart attacks, was
instead shortening his life by prematurely aging his cells and
perhaps even creating additional cancer risks.
‘ In hopeful anticipation that further carefully controlled
scientific studies will be undertaken in due time, I will report
here the results of some additional personal observations. For
the past several months I have been under medical care and
taking medication for a condition of irregular heartbeat (ar¬
rhythmia), which occasionally occurs during and following pe¬
riods of strenuous exercise. At times it was quite severe, at
other times I seem to have no problem at all.
What I finally observed was that the arrhythmia was
definitely associated with wearing a certain pair of old work
pants. I thought I had set aside all my clothing made of poly-
 THEORY OF MULTIFREQUENCY INTERACTION / 59

ester, but these pants were old and not marked as to what
they were made of. However, having someone do the muscle
test on me while wearing them resulted in gross loss of muscle
strength. I immediately discarded them and have since re¬
ceived the following letter from my physician.

Dear John:
Your physical examination was done this year on the 2nd of February,
1981. I thought you looked extremely well, and your physical examina¬
tion turned out to be entirely normal. In particular, there is no arrhyth¬
mia with the heart now, and that’s awfully good news.
Laboratory work included a 25-item blood chemistry test, cardiogram,
complete blood count, urinalysis, and all of this is normal too.
John, this is an excellent report on your health.

To clear up one point of possible confusion, there is a direct

relationship between frequencies and wavelengths. As the
individual wavelengths are absorbed, each wave or bump
creates an impulse. As these wave bumps are closer together
in the shorter wavelengths than in the longer wavelengths,
the time between the impulses is less. This time period is
called the frequency. The shorter the wavelengths, the higher
the frequency; the longer the wavelengths, the lower the
frequency.
I learned about the interaction of these frequencies on hu¬
—
man muscle strength the hard and rather embarrassing
way. I was one of the speakers at a large meeting of architects,
—
engineers, and scientists in California. I had known about the
pyramid power muscle test experiment for only about ten
days, but I had tried it on at least ten people and it worked
perfectly each time. I thought it seemed a good way to dem¬
onstrate the electric dimension of living cells. I finally got up
my courage to try it in front of this very distinguished group of
scientific people, even though using a pyramid might not
appear to be very scientific.
60 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

I called for a volunteer from the audience. It didn’t work. I

asked for another volunteer. It still just would not work at all.
A big roar of laughter went up from the audience. Finally, the
moderator quieted everyone down, and the attitude quickly
changed from ridicule to sympathy. Obviously I must be get¬
ting a little senile. The moderator suggested just sticking with
the pumpkin story and letting it go at that.
After the meeting was over, one of the volunteers went
with me outdoors, and the test worked perfectly. We went
back to the meeting room, and again the pyramid had abso¬
lutely no effect on his muscle strength.
It so happened that another speaker had talked about nega¬
tive ions and negative ion generators. He had hung a number
of them from the open rafters of the high ceiling in the meet¬
ing room.
The meeting was a two-day affair. The same volunteer went
with me early the next morning to the meeting room. All the
negative ion generators were still hanging in the same places,
but had not yet been turned on. The pyramid test worked
perfectly. When the generators were turned on again, the
pyramid test no longer worked. Well, live and learn.
A similar situation developed after I did a demonstration on
a Canadian network TV show. Among other things, I demon¬
strated that wearing, even just holding a digital wrist watch
weakened the arm muscles. A group of high-school science
students in Alberta decided to try to repeat what I did and
reported just the opposite results. The students holding the
digital wrist watch had more muscle strength. Some of the
other tests proved inconclusive. They decided to try a
placebo, something that could not possibly affect the muscle
strength, so someone grabbed an ordinary lead pencil from
one of the desks. They found that this weakened the muscles
more than anything. They wrote a very complete report and
sent it to the TV station in Toronto, where the program had
 THEORY OF MULTIFREQUENCY INTERACTION / 61

originated. The TV program manager forwarded a copy to me,

asking for my comments.
I wrote back thanking the science students for the informa¬
tion about the lead pencil, as this was my first bit of knowl¬
edge about an ordinary lead pencil (but not plastic ball point
pens) acting as a point emitter like the pyramid and lightning
rod. I also explained that there must have been something
else like an ionizing smoke detector within fifty feet, perhaps
in the next room or hallway, that was causing all the test
students to have weak muscles in what was thought to be their
normal condition. If so, then those holding the digital wrist
watch would be stronger, as a digital watch will counteract the
weakening effect of the smoke detector and they would regain
their normal muscle strength. Regrettably, I never received a
reply from either the TV program manager or anyone at the
school. I guess the science teacher had had enough.
I have also received letters from others, including several
doctors who purchased new, expensive, muscle-strength test¬
ing equipment. Unfortunately, much of this new testing
equipment uses digital read-out devices or has an imitation
leather vinyl pad on the pressure-sensing unit placed on the
wrist to do the test, and either of these items completely zaps
the muscles by itself. Then again, others trying to do the test
may not have heard the full story or may have forgotten to
—
check for all the possible things that can upset the test for
example, fluorescent lights, smoke detectors, synthetic mate¬
rial used in clothing (especially the soles of shoes), upholstery
and floor coverings, and what the person being tested may
have eaten during the previous three or four hours.
On the more encouraging side, all the letters I receive are
not critical. Following my address to a dental society meeting
in Ohio, I received this letter:
62 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Dear Mr. Ott:

Thank you so much for your letter and the enclosures. I am having all
of my staff and associates (two of whom were unable to attend your
program) cover the material; it is most interesting.
As far as the watch, I removed it from my left wrist and my shoulder
improved immediately within 48 hours. Recently, about ten days ago, I
wore the watch one day at the office and my shoulder was back with all
kinds of discomfort.
To review your memory, my next-door neighbor, an excellent or¬
thopedist who replaces hips and other prosthesis joints, had last June
and again in September injected cortisone hoping that that would al¬
leviate my type of tendonitis.
I placed the watch back on for eight hours in the office and by evening
I could hardly move the shoulder. This is sufficient clinical experience
for me that I now have a most expensive digital watch for sale.

Sincerely

H. E. Lauer, D.D.S.
Lima, Ohio

I have received the same story from many others.

Dr. Schultheiss has advised me that two of his patients,
both young children with emotional problems, would have
nothing to do with their fathers and would always run to their
mothers whenever their father tried to show any normal pa¬
rental affection. Dr. Schultheiss found that both fathers regu¬
larly wore digital wrist watches. When the fathers’ watches
were given to each mother, both children immediately
acepted their fathers and would not go near their mothers.
A young couple advised me that they had a similar problem
with a puppy. They had purchased the dog about a year previ¬
ous. From the day they brought it home it would growl and
run away from the husband whenever he tried to pat or pick it
up, but it was always friendly to the wife. After hearing the
story about the two children, the husband gave his digital
watch to his wife. The dog immediately jumped into his lap
 THEORY OF MULTIFREQUENCY INTERACTION / 63
and shunned his wife. Needless to say, all three families have
gotten rid of their digital watches.
There is also this letter from the doctor at the National
Institutes of Health I mentioned earlier.
6 December 1978
Dear John:
Here is a summary of our two-day investigation at the Clinical Center,
Clinical Pathology Department of N.I. H.
In a semi-quantitative assay system, various domains of the electro¬
magnetic spectrum affect muscle tone and strength of the shoulder gir¬
dle. Because of time limitations, the only muscle groups of the musculo¬
skeletal system tested were those of the shoulder.
Specifically:
• solar-like
modest amounts of near-UV light, as part of a visually balanced,
spectrum increase shoulder muscle tone and improve
short-term strength compared to warm white fluorescent lights, of
comparable illumination.
• radio frequencies (RF) in the o.1 to 100 megahertz range also appear
to weaken shoulder girdle strengths
• specific exclusion of near-UV (as is common with usual fluorescent
and incandescent lights) reduced muscle tone and strength. The
time constant (time to observe the effect) appears to be 3-6 seconds
• proper shielding of RF restores muscle tone and strength
• red-dominant illumination weakens more than blue-dominant il¬
lumination
Much work remains to be done to specify which muscle groups are
most affected; what the precise time constant is; what the pathways
involved contain, etc. Also, a more quantitative system of assay is highly
desirable. With your encouragement, we are beginning these ap¬
proaches.
While the mechanism for this effect is unknown, it may be analogous
to a well-known phenomenon. There is an optical photo detector which
responds to blue/violet light (including the near-UV) in the 290-430 nm
range which causes constriction of the ciliary muscle. (The ciliary muscle
controls the iris and, thus, controls the intensity of light entering the
eye.) The practical meaning of this is twofold: first, there is a known
mechanism whereby light directly affects a muscle; second, contact lens
wearers are frequently ‘light sensitive’ because their lenses block the
near-UV light, thus reducing the response of the ciliary muscle to a given
light intensity.
64 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

In other words, we adapted to the full range of the solar spectrum and
artificial distortions of the solar spectrum may have biologic effects.
In addition to the experiments reviewed above, we did perform sev¬
eral other studies which are also worth summarizing.
• Ray-Ban #15 Neutral gray sunglasses exclude near-UV and truncate
the blue spectrum. These glasses are associated with a decrease in
muscle tone and shoulder strength when a person exposed to solar¬
like illumination wears these glasses.
• UV-transmitting plastic sunglasses, of even greater illumination
damping, did not show decreases in muscle tone or shoulder
strength.
• Optical-quality glasses could, generally, be graded in the effect they
would have on muscle tone and strength by their blue to red propor¬
tions: the more red/pink, the more reduction in muscle tone and
strength.
• Background illumination did not materially affect results, suggesting
that environmental scatter effects do not play a major role.
After our visit, I spoke in some detail with investigators of the National
Eye Institute. They are willing to provide patients with selective deficits
in cone vision; rod vision; and pigmented epithelial cell so that we can
examine the mediators of this effect. Each patient will be carefully inves¬
tigated by the Eye Institute for visual acuity; perception thresholds; and
color vision. A few rare patients who show no electroretinal activity (i.e.
no electrical response to light) will also be studied. Several of these
people do show some ‘vision’ . . . this is quite a paradox to those who
hold that cones and rods are all there is to vision.
We will also pursue the quantitative muscle testing studies. As you
know, my personnel are fully committed to the ongoing projects of the
lab and we are under a hiring freeze. The pace will be as rapid as we are
able under these constraints. In addition, we shall investigate any de¬
monstrable effects on other organ systems of the body.
Thank you for spending your valuable time with us. There have been
many comments on the quality of your seminar and the importance of
your observations. My best to your wife. Hope to see you in the near
future. I will forward a progress report as each experimental set nears
completion.
Cordially,
Russell M. Jaffe, M.D., Ph.D
Commander, U.S.P.H.S.
Senior Staff Physician, CC,CPD,CCS
 THEORY OF MULTIFREQUENCY INTERACTION I 65

Regrettably, as this book goes to press none of the further

studies mentioned in Dr. Jaffe’s letter have to my knowledge,
been started, and Dr. Jaffe is no longer with the N.I.H.
However, more and more unbelievable causes of muscle
weakness continue to show up as a result of testing items and
materials never previously suspected. For example, some of
the strings of violins, guitars and other musical instruments
that were formerly made of “cat gut” are now made of syn¬
thetic plastic. Even though some are wrapped with a metal
wire cover binding, if they contain any of certain plastic mate¬
rials commonly used, the players of the instruments will lose
muscle strength when they place their fingertips on the
strings in the usual way.
The ends of the pointed prongs on a ring that hold a jewel
—
will act as point emitters just like the pyramid, lightning
—
rod, or lead pencil and cause muscle weakness and fatigue.
However, if the design of the prongs is slightly changed to
nullify the point emitter action, the points will have no effect
on muscle strength.
It is more understandable how eliminating the point emit¬
ters would nullify the muscle weakness effect. It is the same
as taking away the lightning rod, pyramid, or lead pencil. But
how the digital watch and ionizing smoke detector or fluores¬
cent lights and sugar counteract each other is not easy to
explain. However, it is interesting to note that the digital
watch emits a very low frequency and the ionizing smoke
detector a very high frequency. Somehow they seem to offset
each other’s effect as far as weakening the muscles. But
whether or not all other biological effects are nullified is not
clear.
To my knowledge no studies have ever been made on fre¬
quency emissions from sugar, vinyl, polyester, and the like,
or on interactions between color, sound, and temperature. In
this area there remains much yet to be studied and learned in
both science and medicine.
 . THERMAL EFFECTS AND
7 ELECTRET CELLS

The phrase “thermal effects” is simply a more scientific name

for changes in temperature. And electret cells are cells that have
special electrical characteristics in them. Although it appears
that all cells have a specific frequency and an electric dimension,
electret cells also have stronger magnetic fields.
All the materials that are used in making an electric battery
have their own frequency and electric dimension, but when
these materials are put together in a certain way it makes a
whale of a difference in the amount of electricity that is pro¬
duced. This is a good example of a synergistic effect. No amount
of any one substance or material used in a battery would, by
itself, light a flashlight bulb, but just a little bit of the right stuff
put together in the right way will do it.
Going back to Tuning in to Nature, Callahan shows diagrams
of various types of the most modem and sophisticated antennae
designed by antenna engineers for all sorts of today’s electronic
equipment. Alongside each diagram is a drawing of the same
basic design of some insect’s antenna, engineered by nature and
in use for quite a long time. Callahan points out that some insect
 THERMAL EFFECTS AND ELECTRET CELLS I 67

antennae are so small that you need a microscope to see them.

Nevertheless, they still work.
Layering materials with different electrical conductive qual¬
ities is of vital importance in the design of such modem elec¬
trical components as capacitors, condensors, and transistors.
The use of different semiconductor materials is rapidly increas¬
ing with the introduction of solid-state circuits that are replacing
the old vacuum tubes.
Callahan further states that other researchers have made
stable chemical electret cells from sulphur, pyrex glass, both
plant wax and beeswax, sugar, and certain plastic materials. All
of these substances have low dielectric constants, and thus can
be considered as having the solid-state electrical properties suit¬
able for forming waveguide antennae. All of these materials will
also weaken the muscle strength if just a small quantity is held in
the palm of the hand or placed against the wrist, forehead, navel
or, undoubtedly, other areas of the body.
I plan to conduct further studies of all this myself, but it
seems to tie many of the things together that relate to the overall
electric dimension of living cells. I believe it indicates clearly
the need for better communication between overlapping
scientific and medical disciplines involved with the metabolic
process.
Now, one more piece of information from Callahan. He
points out that a number of researchers have discovered that the
electrical charges of electret cells are affected by changes in
temperature, humidity, pressure, and especially irradiation by
various electromagnetic wavelengths (frequencies). Changes in
pressure include sound waves through the air, and man-made
electrets are now used in millions of microphones and also many
other solid-state electric components being manufactured today.
Thus, the equivalent of the most basic component used in
modem telephone and radio microphones for converting sound
waves into electric waves is old stuff in Nature, and has been
68 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

performing this electrobiological function for many million

years. It seems to me that this further suggests that evolution is
just as much the work of God as is Creation, and may even be a
continuing process not yet completed.
So much for electret cells. Now, let’s look at thermal effects,
and I will quote from my own book, My Ivory Cellar.

One film I made on tuberculosis for Eastman Kodak Company caused

much difficulty and convinced me that some subjects looked more simple
than they really were. The project was designed to demonstrate the use of
X-ray films in diagnosing the disease, and it seemed to me that it would be
interesting to illustrate a spot of TB on the lung by comparing it to a black
spot on a rose leaf.
Dr. Earl Barth, Head of the Department of Radiology (X-ray) at North¬
western University Medical School, collaborated with the production and
actually took part in it. Dr. Barth explained in a popular way that plants
breathe through their leaves and animals breathe through their lungs.
Consequently for purposes of illustration there was some interest in com¬
paring a black spot on a rose leaf and a spot of TB on a lung. They are both
serious if not quickly eradicated. One obvious difference, however, is that a
black spot on a rose leaf is easily visible, but in order to detect a spot of TB
on a lung, an X-ray picture or radiograph is required.
To illustrate this difference graphically, it was decided to show micro¬
scopic time-lapse pictures of the growth of the spores of the black spot
organism. Dr. O. J. Eigsti, who had helped with microscopic pictures of
pollen, obtained a pure strain of spores of Diplocarpon rosae, and we set
out to take pictures of their growth.
This is the type of picture on which it is almost impossible to estimate a
budget in advance because unexpected problems may arise. Both Dr.
Eigsti and I could think of no reason why we couldn’t complete this picture
in one day. Maybe cameras might have to run during the night to obtain
good growth of the fungus, but beyond this there should be nothing to it.
A batch of microscope slides were made up on the morning the project
was started. We used our previously proven method of an agar base sealed
under a cover-slip to prevent drying out. Two time-lapse microscopic
cameras were started, and we figured the growth activity should be evident
by lunch time or shortly after.
By late afternoon no fungus growth was yet evident, nor late that night,
nor even the next morning. The same procedure was repeated the follow-
 THERMAL EFFECTS AND ELECTRET CELLS / 69
ing day. Again no luck, so at this point the budget had to be set aside again,
and further experiments charged up to experience. Here was another chal¬
lenge to see why the spores wouldn’t grow, as it was so hard to keep them
from growing on the roses outdoors in the garden.
We tried using rose leaves in place of the agar, combinations of rose
leaves, agar and growth stimulants previously used in connection with the
pollen tube pictures, but nothing happened. We decided the trouble must
be that the cultures were dead, but we had no better luck with additional
new cultures. We tried all sorts of ways of making our own fresh culture
taken directly from rose leaves with black spot. Days turned into weeks,
months, and not the slightest encouragement. I brought rose plants into my
time-lapse studio and tried all sorts of ways of transmitting black spot to the
leaves. I scratched them with a needle and rubbed these leaves with in¬
fected leaves. I rubbed spores on the top of leaves and underneath, on the
stems and roots. Different varieties of roses were tried, but still nothing
happened. I pricked them and broke them and tore them in half, but the
rose plants in the time-lapse studio remained perfectly healthy. This was
hard to understand, as the prevention of black spot was always a major
problem with both amateur and commercial growers of roses, whether
grown indoors or out.
The situation was no longer funny. No usable pictures yet, and the final
deadline for the completion of the film already extended, time running out
again, and oh, the budget! Still I wanted to follow this through further,
even if just for my own satisfaction and experience. Dr. Eigsti had other
commitments coming up that would make it impossible for him to continue
longer. He felt everything possible had been tried but to no avail, so it was
decided this project would have to be given up, at least for the present.
Nevertheless, I asked him to make one last batch of twelve more slides to
leave with me, and I would keep on trying as long as they lasted. This he
did, and then departed. We were both pretty sad about our complete
failure.
After he left I put one slide in each of the two microscopes and started
the cameras going. It seemed almost useless, as there was nothing any
different from what we had been doing for months, but maybe the spores
might start to grow this time. As soon as everything was in order and
running smoothly, I looked down at the remaining ten slides that Dr. Eigsti
had left, and wondered if I might have picked the right two slides to begin
with. If any of them were going to germinate, they would probably start at
the same time like a row of seeds in the garden. Would it be just my luck to
have several of the ten slides germinate at once, and neither of the two in
the microscope being photographed? Maybe germinination of the ten could
70 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

be delayed by putting them in the kitchen refrigerator until those in the

microscopes could be tested for a sufficient period of time.
The next morning the two slides in the microscopes showed absolutely
no sign of any fungus growth having taken place. I felt a little foolish to
have ever held out the slightest hope that things might have been any
different this time.
Now, what about those ten slides in the refrigerator? I hated to think
of all the good film already wasted. This was really going too far, but
strange things had happened before, and the microscopes and cameras
had been scheduled for these ten more slides. Out went the first two
slides, and two more from the kitchen refrigerator went into their places.
Before there was even time to start the cameras, the spores looked
different. Something was happening. I quickly started both cameras and
watched intently. Within an hour something different was happening.
The threadlike fungus growth was definitely showing. Each day for four
more days, two additional slides were brought down from the re¬
frigerator, and all of them germinated and grew perfectly. When the film
was projected, the protoplasmic contents or cytoplasm of the spores
showed a characteristic activity before any threadlike fungus growth
started. This activity was quite similar to what showed within the grains
of pollen before a pollen tube would grow.
It was a great relief to finally have the time-lapse pictures of the spore
growth in the nick of time for use in the film on X-rays. It was even more
of a personal satisfaction to have gotten them at all after so many months.
There seemed to be some justification for having gone completely over¬
board as far as the budget was concerned. I shuddered though with the
thought of what would have to be charged up to experience.
Now the question: What was it about the kitchen refrigerator that
made these spores grow when they had been put there to hold them
back? It so happened that I was also making a film at the same time on
spring flowers. I had just finished studying the necessary cooling period
spring bulbs must have before they will start growing. The same chilling
process seemed to apply to the spores that cause black spots on rose
leaves. At least this seemed to be a plausible answer to what had hap¬
pened with respect to the spore cultures suddenly growing on the slides
that had been chilled.
But what about the fact that the black spot disease could not be in¬
duced to grow on any of the rose plants in my time-lapse studio? In
checking back on this, the night temperature control of the day-and-
night double-acting thermostat was found not to be working properly.
 THERMAL EFFECTS AND ELECTRET CELLS / 71

The same even temperature was accidentally being maintained both day
and night in the studio. When this was corrected, and the night tempera¬
ture lowered considerably, it was no trick at all to develop black spot on
the leaves of the rose plants in the time-lapse studio.

In another film I made on the use of anhydrous ammonia

fertilizer, time-lapse pictures showed that the process of first
chilling and then warming soil bacteria made them also sud¬
denly become active and greatly increase in number.
I quote again from My Ivory Cellar:
In thinking back over various time-lapse projects, there is one in
particular that seems to tie in closely to the effects of chilling. Early in
the summer of 1948 Northwestern University Medical School was inter¬
ested in a project of time-lapse study of the growth and division of cancer
cells. Information of a new type phase-contrast microscope had recently
been released, but following the war deliveries of all such equipment
were still very slow and uncertain. Northwestern University Medical
School had one on order from the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company.
They had been quoted a two-year delivery date. This seemed a long way
off and was very disappointing. However, it so happened I gave a lecture
and showed some of my time-lapse pictures in Rochester, New York,
where the headquarters of the Bausch & Lomb Company are located.
Following the lecture, as was usually the case, a number of people came
down front to ask questions. This particular night I was pressed for time
to catch a train on to my next speaking engagement and had possibly
been a little hasty in trying to pack up all the projection equipment and
be on my way. On the train while pulling ticket stubs and similar miscel¬
laneous items out of my pockets, there was a card I remembered receiv¬
ing from an elderly gentleman. He had made the casual remark about
being interested in time-lapse pictures, and for me to be sure to let him
know if he could ever be of any help. Lots of people had frequently made
this same remark just as conversation, so I had not taken this particular
gentleman too seriously at the time. However, upon looking at the card
again, I noticed he happened to be president of the Bausch & Lomb
Optical Company. Could he be really serious in wanting to help in any
way possible? Immediately upon arriving home, a letter to him was in
the mail. The result was I had a phase-contrast microscope within two
weeks instead of the estimated two years.
 71 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

This accomplished, the next step was to design and have made some
special glass chambers that would fit within the restricted space of this
new type of microscope. They had to be optically perfect so as not to
cause any refraction of light. The glass chamber held a regular cover-slip
with the living cancer tissue suspended underneath. It was also
equipped with an intake and discharge glass tube so a continuus flow of
fresh plasma could be supplied to keep the cancer cells growing. Next an
incubator cabinet was built with special access doors. Adjustments could
be made on the microscope by reaching in through these small doors and
not materially lowering the temperature of the entire cabinet. Finally a
system of transporting the tissue culture slides in heated Thermos jugs
from the medical school to the time-lapse studio was worked out so that
the exact body temperature could be maintained while the slides were in
transit. This was considered to be of the utmost importance, so that the
subjects would not be chilled or otherwise subjected to any harmful
effects.
The tissue culture slides were prepared from rat tumors. New slides
were prepared every few days and brought out to the studio, a distance
of approximately fifteen miles. This project continued all summer and
well into the following winter. Dozens and dozens of slides were pre¬
pared and carefully transported in the heated Thermos jugs, but not a
single picture showed any cell division taking place. Everybody had
been so optimistic and hopeful that this project might reveal some im¬
portant information through time-lapse photography. Unfortunately the
results had so far been very disappointing, and the enthusiasm on the
part of those participating was rapidly waning. Serious consideration was
being given to the question of how much longer it was worthwhile to
carry this project further. Then one day the intern who was bringing the
hot Thermos jug carelessly allowed the cover to jiggle loose in the back of
the car and come off. The slides were cold on arrival, and we both felt
they obviously had been completely ruined. We came very close to
throwing them out, but inasmuch as the cameras were all ready and
nothing else was available to photograph at the moment, I put them in
the microscopes anyway, and started the cameras going. There was just
enough film on the end of a full magazine for one more time-lapse
sequence. When the film was finished, it went in for processing as usual.
It had become rather monotonous, looking at film after film of these
cancer cell pictures and nothing ever happening. As this particular film
was projected, it seemed to be the same story over again. The first part
showed no cell division. The last part of it contained the sequence of the
cancer cells that had become cold and then reheated to body tempera-

TT
 THERMAL EFFECTS AND ELECTRET CELLS / 73

ture. Would they look any different as the result of having been chilled?
Finally this sequence was on the screen, and the cells did look different!
They seemed more active, alive. Suddenly one pulled together into a
compact round shape. The chromosomes within the cell lined up and
split in two as the cancer cell actually divided. It was hard to realize that
after all these months of work here was the picture we were after, and it
had happened with a slide that through carelessness had been chilled so
that we considered it hardly worth photographing at all. This was the
first slide that showed any cell division. We didn’t know why, but from
then on discontinued transporting the slides in the heated Thermos jugs.
I recorded in my notes that it just worked better that way, and put down
a great big question mark. From then on we were able to get all the
pictures of cell division we wanted, and the project was soon completed.
The more recent observations on the effect of chilling certain bulbs and
black spot spores seem to tie in with stimulating cell division in these
earlier cancer pictures, but the question as to just what the significance
might be needs further study.

From other information gained as a result of having pro¬

duced a film on the story of garden pests and insects for Swift
and Company, I am convinced that some insects must be
chilled before they will complete the pupa stage. The cocoon
or chrysalis is not solely for the purpose of self-preservation
during the winter period. It is known that many moths and
butterflies will not emerge from the cocoon or chrysalis if
brought into the house too early in the fall. It is thought the
reason is that they dry out if kept inside too long.
There is little if any information regarding the necessity of
chilling in connection with insects, but there is considerable
information available as to just how much warm weather is
required for certain insects to emerge from the pupa stage. In
discussing this with several “just plain good old-fashioned”
—
nature-study teachers if I may refer to them as such I
learned that if cocoons are placed in the refrigerator for a
—
while, when brought indoors early in the fall, there is then no
problem about their drying out. The butterflies and moths
will emerge perfectly.
74 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Now if we put the effects of chilling together with the re¬

sponses of electret cells, we can begin to see changes of tem¬
perature influence the electric dimension, break the dor¬
mancy of spores, seeds, spring bulbs, bacteria, and insects,
and trigger the process of cell division in animal cells.
I had the opportunity of showing my time-lapse pictures
dealing with temperature to Dr. Callahan and his associates at
the University of Florida. It was the general opinion of those
present that there must be a similar mechanism at work in the
spores, bacteria, and mammalian cells in regard to changes of
temperature, as Dr. Callahan has demonstrated in the elec¬
tret cells of the insect exoskeleton.
It seems to me that the various layers of the skin would be
an obvious area to start looking for human electret cells. It is
now known that the Langhans cells in the epidermis play an
important role in the immunological milieu of the individual
instead of merely being dead squamous cells being pushed
toward the surface. This is an important discovery, but it s
just the beginning. We have only begun to scratch the surface
of a whole new world of electrobiological research.
Some of the “loose ends” discussed in previous chapters are
beginning to fit together. But each day, it seems, more “loose
end” observations are added to the list. I shall touch upon
only a few of those that have come to my attention.
Not long ago I received a letter from a TV viewer stating he
had seen me do the muscle test demonstration and wondered
if I was aware that holding a glass of fluoridated water would
cause muscle weakness. I was not. As the water supplied by
our local utility is not fluoridated, I tried the muscle test on a
—
person holding a tube of a fluoridated toothpaste and down
went the arm. I went on with additional muscle testing and
found that holding a glass of water from our own private well
did not cause any muscle weakness. Neither did holding a
glass of rain water collected in a brass bucket, or a glass of
commercially distilled bottled drinking water. But holding a
 THERMAL EFFECTS AND ELECTRET CELLS I 75
glass of the nonfluoridated utility company water from the
cold water tap in the kitchen sink did definitely cause muscle
weakness! Why?
I learned that the local utility company had one of the
newest and most modern high-voltage electrodialysis types of
water purification system. I lost no time going over to the
water works plant and talking to the superintendent. He ex¬
plained that the high-voltage electrodialysis system had been
installed to remove the high mineral content of water previ¬
ously used, but now the water was coming from another
nearby utility system and was natural river water that did not
require demineralization, so the high-voltage system was no
longer in use.
Looking elsewhere for an answer, I thought of the new type
of polyvinyl chloride plastic pipe extensively used in water
systems in place of the old type of cast iron pipe. Further
testing showed that holding a glass of water taken from a new
nearby private well with polyvinyl chloride plastic piping or
any water that had passed through pvc plastic pipe would
cause muscle weakness, but water from older wells or older
water mains using cast iron pipe and no pvc plastic pipe
caused no loss of muscle strength.
Recalling that heating polyunsaturated margarine re¬
versed its weakening effect on muscle strength, I boiled some
water taken from the cold water faucet in a stainless steel
saucepan and found that holding a glass of it no longer de¬
creased muscle strength. Neither did a glass of water from the
hot water faucet that had been cooled to room temperature.
(The thermostat on the hot water heater had been turned
down to 140° F to conserve energy.)
While I still had some water boiling on the kitchen range, I
dropped the tube of fluoridated toothpaste in it, left it there
for about ten minutes, then let it cool to room temperature. It
too no longer weakened the muscles when held in the hand.
This led me to wonder if the effect of heating and cooling
76 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

could be reversed by first cooling and then heating, and thus

restore the muscle-weakening characteristics of those mate¬
rials that lose their muscle-weakening effects when first
heated and then cooled.
I placed the tube of fluoridated toothpaste that had been
heated and cooled and no longer caused muscle weakness in
the refrigerator for an hour, then let it warm to room tem¬
perature. Again it caused muscle weakness when held in the
hand.
I did the same thing with an ordinary carpenter’s hammer.
First, I tested it by having someone hold the steel head of the
—
hammer in the palm of the hand with no effect on muscle
strength. I then put it in the freezer compartment of the
refrigerator for several hours until it was thoroughly cold to
the very center of the steel. When held in the hand while still
cold it had no muscle-weakening effect, but after it had
warmed to room temperature it caused substantial muscle
weakness. Could it be that the muscle-weakening effects are
caused by the warming side of the chilling-warming cycle?
With more experimenting I found that when the head of
the carpenter’s hammer had been chilled, then warmed, it
weakened muscle strength when held in the right hand of a
right-handed person, and had the opposite effect when held
in the left hand, as the bar magnet did. As with the bar
magnet, the muscle weakening was reversed with left-handed
people.
It would seem that reversing the muscle-weakening effects
by changing the position of the bar magnet in the hand must
be due to switching its north-south magnetic polarity. The
changes of temperature in either heating-cooling or cooling¬
heating the steel head of the hammer apparently likewise
alter its magnetic polarity. However, the bar magnet
definitely has a North and South Pole, and reversing its posi¬
tion end for end when held in the hand also reverses its effects
 THERMAL EFFECTS AND ELECTRET CELLS / 77

on muscle strength, whereas with the carpenter’s hammer it

appears to make no difference how the head is held in either
hand. This would indicate that it has only a single polarity or
monopolar field which may be either north or south and that the
polarity can be reversed by changes in temperature.
The steel head of the carpenter’s hammer is made basically
of iron and can be magnetized. Iron is very important in the
blood of animals, including humans. It is also important to
plants.
An outstanding question is: What is the overall function of
iron in the electric dimension of living cells?
A second question: Is the increase of body temperature
from a fever a part of nature’s way of checking or controlling
the electrical dimension of living cells?
And a third: What additional interaction may there be on
the electrical dimension of living cells from the effects of dif¬
ferent types of hyperthermia equipment such as R.F., micro¬
wave, or ultrasound systems for heating tumors in the treat¬
ment of cancer?
Mind-boggling questions certainly, but not without an¬
swers. Simpler answers perhaps than presently supposed.
8 LIGHT—THE MISSING LINK?

In research, the expressions “true cause and effect,” “cage

differences,” and “exceptions” are quite common.
The importance of establishing the results of any therapy or
research study to the true cause cannot be overemphasized. It is
always a temptation to draw a conclusion prematurely, espe¬
cially if the data appears to support one’s original hypothesis.
However, research data today is largely computerized, and a
computer is capable only of analyzing the data it receives. It
lacks the ability of the human mind to override statistics with a
little common sense.
On the other hand, it can be argued that omitting any suspect
data, or deciding which data should be given to the computer as
an exception, opens the door to weighting the results. Accord¬
ingly, it is generally accepted that by using a greater number of
animals, the overall averages will lessen the chance of error from
any misinterpretation of the relationship between the true cause
and effect, cage differences, and/or possible exceptions.
It is, of course, highly important to approach any research
study with a truly open mind and not with the intention of
 LIGHT— THE MISSING LINK / 79
proving some preconceived idea, even if the idea represents the
long-standing accepted or orthodox explanation of the phenome¬
non at point.
This may all sound very rudimentary, like reminding some¬
one to drive carefully when getting into an automobile, but
accidents do occur on the highways.
For example: In the October 1963 Science an article entitled
“Long-Term Isolation Stress in Rats” reported on the effects of
isolation stress on white rats. A marked difference in the toxicity
of isoproterenol between community-caged rats and isolated rats
provided a criterion for following the development of isolation
stress. Isoproterenol is a drug that causes heart palpitations,
lung dilation, and nervous disorders. According to this group of
investigators, the reversibility of isolation stress was also estab¬
lished, the reversal being attributed to the effects of short-term
versus long-term isolation. Short-term isolation stress was
defined as one to ten days and long-term from ten to thirty days.
My particular interest in this article centered on the reported
condition of caudal dermatitis, or scaly tail, which also followed
a reversibility pattern attributed to the short-term versus long¬
term isolation stress. Although this condition was not nearly as
serious as the condition of the tails of our mice kept under
different types of light, the similar reversibility patterns were
definitely of interest.
My interview with the principal investigator in charge of the
isolation stress study, and with all of his coworkers, revealed
that, coincidentally, at the precise interval between those times
designated as short-term and long-term isolation stress, the
lighting environment of the two groups of animals was drasti¬
cally changed. All the cages containing the isolated animals were
on one large rack at one end of the animal room, with the cage
doors directly facing the windows. The colony groups of animals
were on another similar rack in a dark area and with the cage
doors facing away from the windows. During the interview it
8o / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

was learned that one of the laboratory assistants had moved the
racks when mopping the floor and had inadvertently switched
their location.
Under these circumstances of substantially different light in¬
tensities, it is of particular interest that the criterion for following
the development of isolation stress was the toxicity level of the
drug. It is now well established that light significantly influences
the toxicity level of drugs.
An example of the danger involved in classifying gross varia¬
tions in data obtained merely as an exception is evident in an
article entitled “Pterygium Among Veterans” (Archives of
Ophthalmology, August 1963).
A high incidence of pterygium, an abnormal growth on the
eye that impairs vision, was found in a group of veterans who
had been stationed in the desert area of the southwestern part of
the United States. It was first suggested that the dust and blow¬
ing sand in this area may have been a contributing factor. How¬
ever, an equally high incidence of pterygium was found in ser¬
vicemen returning from the high rainfall areas of the South
Pacific. It was concluded that the only factor common to both
these areas was the high-intensity sunlight and ultraviolet. The
article then mentioned a major exception to these findings, a
group of Cree Indians in northern Manitoba, Canada, who were
found to have an exceptionally high rate of pterygium. How¬
ever, at this latitude these Indians would definitely not be sub¬
jected to the high-intensity ultraviolet in tropical sunlight.
Accordingly, I personally investigated this situation and found
this group of Cree Indians had been issued specially designed
sunglasses, of the wrap-around kind, and trimmed with leather
to prevent even the slightest bit of ultraviolet sunlight from
reaching the eyes. These special sunglasses had been issued in
connection with an earlier experiment designed to study prob¬
lems of glare, etc., from the snow and ice. When the study was
completed, these people were allowed to keep their sunglasses.
Holding a lightning rod against chest weakens all muscles, including heart
muscle.
 Unknown stress frequency from
vinyl plastic material also weak¬
ens muscle strength.

If the lightning rod is turned around and pointed toward the chest, the muscle
strength immediately returns and in some eases is actually enhanced.
 A pyramid will act as a point emitter just like the lightning rod.

So will a lead pencil held in the

ordinary writing position.
The distorted light spectrum plus added radiation from one 20-watt fluores¬
cent tube produces stress that not only weakens the muscle system but also
causes other pathological problems.
 .. ;ary eyeglasses that block the ultraviolet, also sunglasses, including those
measurable loss of muscle strength.
1 irken when worn in sunlight, cause

Radiation from digital watch is within gov¬

ernment safety levels, but grossly weakens
muscles.
This is how Sara’s left eye looked when Dr. Salov took her as a patient.

In approximately one month there were definite signs of some improvement

beginning to show.
After four or five more weeks there
v: s real reason for encouragement.

After five months of treatments by

Dr. Salov there was no trace of
tumors remaining. In two more
months Sara’s vision was back to
normal.
Magnet in hand with North Pole pointed out weakens muscles.

Magnet on top of hand with North Pole pointed out strengthens muscles.
Before fluorescent lights were changed note boy lower left banging head on
table, boy upper center fumbling with chair, and two on extreme right climb¬
ing on top of tables.
Will this boy ultimately become a dropout?
Sixty days after lights were changed this boy moved up to front row with his
hand raised to gain recognition from teacher.

He is now at blackboard taking part in regular classroom activities.

If a person looks at a pink card while someone else sounds High C on a pitch
tuner, this particular note will counter the pink color and restore the muscle
strength to normal.
Holding a Pyrex pie dish in the
hand causes muscle weakness, but
holding a dish made of ordinary
glass does not.

Items of clothing need not be

worn to do muscle test, simply
held in hand.
Author (center) with architect and contractor removing protective paper cov¬
ering from Ultraviolet Transmitting Plastic installed in sliding doors on porch
of new house, Lake Bluff, Ill., in i960.
Author examines Full Spectrum Radiation-Shielded Fluorescent fixture
opened to show separate small blacklight tube. Lead foil shields cover each
end of all tubes where cathodes are located. Double wire grid radiation shield
inside opened, ultraviolet-transmitting diffuser is also visible.
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 81

Shortly thereafter, in checking a limited number of individuals

who had developed pterygium while on military duty in the
tropics, I found that all had constantly worn prescription sun¬
glasses.
The article did not state whether any consideration was given
to the wearing of sunglasses, which is almost universally done in
the tropical areas, but in view of the findings regarding the Cree
Indians and the servicemen returning from the tropics who did
wear sunglasses and developed pterygium, it would appear that
—
the conclusions drawn that the ultraviolet in sunlight is a
—
causative factor of pterygium cannot be justified.
P. Wilson and coworkers reported on the “Induction of Al¬
cohol Selection in Laboratory Rats by Ultraviolet Light” (/. of
Studies on Alcohol, November 7, 1976). Reference was made to
previous work of Sinclair and Geller in Science indicating that
rats drank more alcohol after exposure to darkness over the
weekends when no one came into the laboratory and turned the
lights on.
Nobel Prize-winner Dr. Julius Axelrod had earlier found that
the pineal gland produces more of the enzyme melatonin during
dark periods. Injections of melatonin into rats on a regular light¬
dark cycle turned these rats into alcoholics.
That alcoholism may be related to the pineal gland is also
under study by Dr. Kenneth Blum, a pharmacologist at the
University of Texas Medical School. In near-total darkness, rats
with pineals drank more alcohol than water while rats without
pineals drank more water than alcohol.
Our work has indicated many biological responses in both
plants and laboratory animals. We have found that they respond
to specific narrow bands of wavelengths, and not just to the
difference between light and dark.
If the specific wavelengths to which a photoreceptor mecha¬
nism responds are missing in an artificial light source, then this
would be the equivalent of darkness to the photoreceptor mech-
82 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

anism. There would be no response, even though there were

other wavelengths present. This then raises the question as to
whether the alcohol preference of the rats kept under the UV
light by Dr. Wilson is caused by the presence of the 350 mm-
wavelength UV or the absence of the specific visible
wavelengths to which this response may react.
In making a film for the McCardle Memorial Laboratory for
Cancer Research at the University of Wisconsin Medical Cen¬
ter, I ran into another example of how important specific
wavelengths of light can be. The film showed how to culture
physarum polycepholum, an ideal slime mold organism for cell
research. This mold normally grows on dead, decaying trees
outdoors, but making it grow in the laboratory is another mat¬
ter.
The doctors at the McCardle Lab had developed a procedure
for culturing the cells, making a plasma and putting some in
flasks that were automatically shaken for a certain length of
time. The plasma was then poured on pieces of filter paper
placed in petri dishes. A growth medium was added and the
mold grew very nicely. It would spread out over the filter paper,
but would not sporulate. This means it would not develop spore
heads that ripen and break open to release more spores. The
wind carries the spores great distances to start new fungus
growth over a greater area.
The doctors working on the project discovered that if the
flasks of plasma were placed in a light box under fluorescent
tubes for six hours before the plasma was poured out on the
filter paper, the sporulation would then develop normally.
Some time later, I was giving a lecture at the University
Medical School at the University of Minnesota and some doctors
there were complaining that they had followed the protocol
specified by the doctors at the McCardle Laboratory. They had
made the light box exactly to specifications, but the slime mold
would not sporulate.
 LIGHT— THE MISSING LINK / 83
During my lecture I showed the pumpkin pictures and the
effect of the two different types of fluorescent tubes bringing
forth staminate or pistillate blossoms. As it turned out, this was
the answer to the sporulation problem with the slime mold.
In writing up the report on culturing physarum poly-
cepholum, the doctors only mentioned the size of the box, the
number and wattage of fluorescent tubes, and the distance from
—
the flasks but not the type of fluorescent tubes that were used.
It so happened that cool white were used in the light box at the
McCardle Lab and warm white at the University of Minnesota.
As soon as the warm white tubes were changed to cool white,
the sporulation developed perfectly.
Another new and interesting application of light therapy for
the treatment of cold sores and fever blisters was developed by a
group of scientists at Baylor College of Medicine, and reported
by Dr. Troy D. Felber at the 120th annual meeting of the
American Medical Association in June 1979 at Atlantic City,
New Jersey.
The new technique consists of applying a certain type of dye
to the skin lesion and then irradiating it with an ordinary day¬
light type fluorescent light. The virus then somehow becomes
inactivated through a process described as photodynamic inacti¬
vation.
The work has implications that go beyond skin infections.
— —
One type of the same virus herpes simplex is believed by
many scientists to cause cancer of the cervix.
Another group of doctors at a university in Iowa reported that
they were unable to duplicate Dr. Felber’s work. However, in
the same report they mentioned using ordinary incandescent
light. At the National Institutes of Health a further study failed
to confirm Dr. Felber’s work with daylight-type fluorescent,
which is strong in the blue wavelengths that are almost totally
lacking in ordinary incandescent. The N.I.H., too, had used
ordinary incandescent light.
84 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

A more definite indication of a direct carcinogenic relation¬

ship between light and the effects of certain chemicals was re¬
ported in Japan (J . Genetics, Vol. 44, 231-240: 1969, S. Takay¬
ama and Y. Ojima, Kwansei Gakuin Univ., Nishinomiya,
Hyogo). Cultured cells were exposed to each of eight polycyclic
hydrocarbons, and then illuminated with white light from a
tungsten lamp. Five carcinogenic hydrocarbons were found to
be much stronger in photosensitizing activity than three noncar-
cinogenic ones. Among the former compounds, benzopyrene is
the strongest and benzanthracene the weakest. As far as the
present experimental system is concerned, a clear positive asso¬
ciation between photodynamic activity and carcinogenicity was
found.
More recently, I ran into a somewhat similar case concerning
Laetrile and differences in laboratory lighting. The situation
may best be explained by the original correspondence.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York 10021
December 1, 1977

Dear Dr. Ott:

Thank you for the promised reprints you sent with your letter of
November 29. I know from our conversation I will find them interesting.
I spoke with Dr. Good a day or two after you and I met and he
indicated his real interest in the possibility of an informal seminar from
you in our Institute. Maybe one could be arranged in connection with
your visit to the ACS here in New York.
Please let us know as early as you can on what might be possible in
order to see how it fits Dr. Good’s schedule and that of several others
here.

Sincerely,

C. Chester Stock, Ph.D.

Vice President and
Associate Director
for Administrative and
Academic Affairs
 LIGHT— THE MISSING LINK I 85
January 20, 1978
C. Chester Stock, Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue
New York, New York 10021
Dear Dr. Stock:
I thought the response to my seminar at Sloan-Kettering was reason¬
ably encouraging, but I have heard nothing since and am wondering if
there has now been time for you to have received any official feedback.
Because of the controversial nature of the subject, I thought it best not to
mention anything regarding Laetrile, but I am scheduled to give another
seminar for Doctor Harold Manner at Loyola University in Chicago on
February 14th. The subject of the different types of fluorescent lights
used in his laboratory as compared to those used at Sloan-Kettering is
bound to come up for a lot of discussion.
The different results obtained by Sloan-Kettering and Doctor Manner
and the lights used in their respective laboratories tie in exactly with the
results I obtained as mentioned in my book Health and Light. These
results have now been repeated by doctors at six medical centers as
listed in the enclosed article, “The Eye’s Dual Function” Part Three.
When I visited Doctor Manner on November 14, 1977, he stated that
for some unknown reason many of his animals were suddenly dying. Our
meeting was cut short because he had to leave for the airport, but before
leaving he turned me over to several of his students who showed me
their animal laboratory. I noted the fluorescent lights were similar but
not identical to those used at the Sloan-Kettering laboratory in Rye. I
asked if those lights had been recently changed and learned that the
maintenance department had relamped the laboratory approximately
two months earlier and had replaced cool white fluorescent tubes with
warm white.
I now understand that the cool white tubes have been put back and
the animals are already doing much better. I also learned that the cause
of the sudden death of many animals was thought to be possibly due to
injecting the animal tumors with certain enzymes at too fast a rate, and
this procedure was corrected at the same time that the lights were
changed back to what was originally in the laboratory before the animals
started dying.
I have suggested that they continue the slower rate of injection and
change the lights back to the warm white fluorescent and then see what
happens.

I
86 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

I have enclosed copies of several additional articles that either have

been or are scheduled to be published this current month. I am trying to
stress the need for including light as a variable in all research laboratories
and to analyze the reasons behind the resistance to doing anything differ¬
ent or making changes in established procedures. I am very pleased to
be working with a number of research laboratories at medical schools and
universities across the country, including Roswell Park Memorial Insti¬
tute and the new laboratory of the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences (N.I.H.) at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.
All the results so far from every experiment, to my knowledge, except
those done or sponsored by the electrical industry, have shown
significant results under different types of lighting. The results from the
original experiments at Roswell Park have now been repeated and dupli¬
cated and are presently being written up for publication. These results
show not only that light has a significant effect on the endocrine system
of laboratory animals, but also affects the principal organs as well. . . .

Sincerely,

John Ott, Sc.D., Hon.

February 6, 1978
Dear Dr. Ott:
There were a number of those who attended your lecture who found
your results of real interest. I believe a number of us recognize the
nature of the lighting is a variable which should be controlled in ex¬
perimentation.
It is just as wellthat you did not mention the Laetrile studies. We
have not tried to conduct experiments duplicating those of Dr. Manner.
I do not know to what extent he tried to duplicate ours. I believe I saw a
newspaper item saying he had repeated some of our and NCI experi¬
ments with similar results. The experiments in which he considers he
has favorable results are so different from ours that there are far more
important variables or different conditions than those due to lighting
differences. . . .

Sincerely,

C. Chester Stock, Ph.D.

 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK I 87
February 28, 1978

Dr. Harold Manner

Dept, of Biology
Loyola University
6525 North Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, Illinois 60626

Dear Harold:
I certainly appreciated the opportunity of showing my time-lapse films
to your class and the others who attended my recent seminar.
I have previously sent you a preprint of my article, Light, The Missing
Link, Cause and Effect, Cage Differences and Exceptions. Enclosed is
an officially published copy published in the Journal of the Northwest
Academy for Preventive Medicine, which is just off the press.
Although the differences in the results between your experiments
with Laetrile and those reported by Sloan-Kettering may be due to your
use of additional enzymes, rate of injection or even some other unknown
variables, I think it is extremely important to pin down as soon as possi¬
ble the matter of the different types of lights used and to determine
whether light is or is not a contributing factor.
I came away from our last meeting on February 14th when I showed
the two films, with the feeling that some of your students felt quite
satisfied that having changed to a slower rate of injection was totally
responsible for getting the experiments back on track so the animals
were not dying as you had previously mentioned to me.
If this is the true cause and the recent animal deaths were not related
to having changed the lights in the laboratory, it should then make no
difference if the lights were changed back again to the warm white
fluorescent. It would be nice to switch some of the animals to the warm
white and keep the remaining ones under the cool white, but in view of
the lack of necessary additional space, I strongly urge you to change all
the laboratory lights to warm white, even taking into consideration the
possibility of completely disrupting your experiment again.
This question of light must be definitely determined sooner or later,
and until it is, all past and present research risks the possibility of becom¬
ing invalid when light has not been recognized a variable and under
scientific control.
88 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Please give this matter your serious consideration and I will look
forward to hearing from you as to your decision.

Very sincerely,

John Ott, Sc.D., Hon.

(No reply received)
1

Haarlem, Orangepiein 11
The Netherlands

May 11th 1978

Dear Dr. Ott,
Thank you for your letter. Indeed I have read about your fascinating
work but I had never associated it with Laetrile treatment. So as a matter
of fact your letter set me thinking about the lives of my patients and
something emerged which I did not expect. My very first patient was a
boy with an astrocytoma. My very first Laetrile patient that is. He was
inoperable and they took a piece of the tumor, localised in the small
brains out and gave him some radiation. This boy is a nearly pure Laet¬
rile patient, as he was not holding his diet very well and did not take his
vitamins. He is now 18, and quite healthy. Now this is a schoolboy, who
has to be on bike four times a day and who is doing outdoor sports like
rowing.
My second Laetrile patient was a woman with a recurrence of an
ovarial carcinoma, big as a fist. She was inoperable and got some endo-
xan, but she was in much pain and was looking very bad indeed. We are
five years later now and she is so good that the cancer institute is dying to
open her up but she refuses. Now this woman is doing long stretches on
her bike every day. She is an outdoor type and she lives in rather a rural
country with wide open skies.
Another patient is a man who lives in the same area. He came last year
to my office, dying from lung cancer. He was blue in the face and gasping
for breath and he had to be helped in by his wife and his brother. After
—
half a year he was in much better condition and this is important for
—
you this man is working outdoors in his small garden where he culti¬
vates vegetables most of the day. Lately the specialist became irritated
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 89
that the man had not died yet and suddenly gave him huge doses of
chemotherapy and since then he is deteriorating.
The last two patients were given diet, vitamins, minerals and brome¬
lain with Laetrile.
On the other hand another patient with a big stomach tumor who
according to the hospital had two weeks to live, lived for 10 months, but
he never went outdoors at all.
And a colleague of mine has given Laetrile to a lot of patients about
half a year ago and they all died. He lives in the northern part of our
country where people often are strictly religious and cover themselves
up in black clothes. All these things are no proof of course but it certainly
is a strange thing that the first three successful cases that came to my
mind all were outdoor cases so to speak, and that the unsuccessful cases
(because I only mentioned one, but there are a lot more) hardly ever
moved outdoors and if they did so, it was by car.
I will certainly look into this matter further and if I find more material
that could be of importance to you I will certainly write you. As a matter
of fact I was quite honoured to get a letter from Dr. Ott himself.
The three successful cases I wrote you about do not wear glasses.
With best wishes for your most important work,

Sincerely yours,

Hans C. Moolenburgh

April 7, I980

Dr. Charles Moertel

Director
Cancer Research Center
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN 55901

Dear Dr. Moertel:

It is most gratifying to read in our local newspaper that studies will be
undertaken at the Mayo Clinic to test the effect of Vitamin C and Laet¬
rile, two very controversial theories regarding cancer.
Accordingly, I am taking the liberty of sending you some reprints of
articles reporting on the results of several studies done at the Environ-
90 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

mental Health & Light Research Institute indicating an interaction of

specific wavelengths of light energy with the wavelength absorption
characteristics of all substances including such vitamins and drugs as
Laetrile and ascorbic acid or Vitamin C.
At the present time I am scheduled to give seminars at the annual
meeting of the Indiana Optometric Society in Orlando, Florida on April
24-25, at the School of Allied Health Professions of the University of
Wisconsin, (Milwaukee campus) on April 28-29, and the Wisconsin Soci¬
ety of Architects at the Abey Resort Hotel, Lake Geneva on May 1-2.
I feel so strongly about the need to consider light energy as a variable
in such studies as you are undertaking, that I would greatly appreciate an
opportunity to come to the Mayo Clinic and further discuss this matter
with you. Monday, May 5th, would be the most convenient for me, but I
could stay over until Tuesday, May 6th, if necessary.

Very sincerely,

John Ott, Sc.D., Hon.

Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota 5590I

April 14, 1981

Dear Doctor Ott:
Your letter of April 7, 1980 to Dr. Charles G. Moertel was referred by
Dr. Moertel to me in my capacity as director of our cancer pharmacology
program. Your interest in research encompasses an area in which we
have no major research programs. I read several of the reprints of articles
you enclosed with interest. The results of Doctor Chignell’s work will be
of interest to many individuals despite their area of research.
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to organize a forum appropriate
for the seminar you have kindly offered to give in May. Thank you for
expressing your interest in the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer
Center. We look forward to following the progress of research in this
area.

Sincerly yours,

John S. Kovach, M.D.

 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 91

As previously outlined in chapter 3 on Biological Combus¬

tion, all nutritional substances, including medicines and
drugs such as Laetrile, have a specific wavelength absorption.
If those wavelengths are missing in the artificial light source a
person is exposed to, then no biological combustion will take
place and the nutritional benefits of the particular substance
will not be utilized.
I further comment on the apparent better results of Laet¬
rile in the sunnier climates of Mexico and Southern California
than under the very pinkish fluorescent lights used at Sloan-
Kettering Research Laboratory. I do not know what type of
lights are used at the Mayo Clinic but I believe it is of interest
that the recent Laetrile tests done at the Mayo Clinic and
other hospitals in different areas of the country were carried
on primarily during the winter period of 1980-81 when hospi¬
tal patients are least likely to be outdoors in natural sunlight.
While there have been several recent articles in medical
journals warning against the high level of the photo-toxic ef¬
fects of certain wavelengths of light on certain drugs, my
feeling is that this basic principle of the interaction of specific
wavelength absorption characteristics of these photo-toxic
drugs should be carried further to what might include more
normal responses of substances like Laetrile and even Interfe¬
ron and other drugs used in so-called orthodox
chemotherapy, not only to visible light but to the entire elec¬
tromagnetic spectrum.
In view of the possibility that the different types of light
sources used by Sloan-Kettering and Dr. Manner were a con¬
tributing factor in the different results obtained, I believed it
would be of interest and possibly very helpful to know what
the wavelength absorption band of Laetrile was. Accordingly,
I called Dr. Ernst T. Krebs, Jr. at the John Beard Memorial
Foundation in San Francisco. Dr. Krebs and his father are, I
believe, considered basically the originators of Laetrile and
92 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

responsible for much of the research that has been done on it.
I asked Dr. Krebs if he could give me the specific wavelength
absorption of Laetrile. He advised me that he could not and
that he did not know of anybody or any laboratory that had
tested Laetrile for its specific wavelength absorption. He did,
however, agree that this might be of interest and would be a
good project for someone to undertake.
Accordingly, I arranged to have a sample of Laetrile ship¬
ped to a research laboratory and requested that it be tested
for its wavelength absorption characteristics. The results
clearly show that the wavelength absorption starts in the blue
end of the spectrum, continues to rise on through the near
ultraviolet and has a very sharp peak in the far shortwave
ultraviolet between 270-250 nanometer range. This peak ab¬
sorption in the shortwave ultraviolet is so strong that the usual
recommended dilution of Laetrile with water had to be di¬
luted several times so that the light beam of the recording
spectrophotometer could penetrate it in order to get a read¬
ing.
As previously mentioned in both My Ivory Cellar and
Health and Light, the earth’s atmosphere cuts off in the ul¬
traviolet at approximately 290 nanometers. The official
wavelength chart of sunlight put out by the U. S. Bureau of
Standards shows an absolute cutoff at 290 nm, as do all the
other wavelength charts I have ever seen. Any ultraviolet
wavelengths in natural sunlight shorter than 290 nm are con¬
sidered nonexistent and the possibility of any trace amount
would be so minimal that the matter is totally ignored.
However, it is recognized that trace amounts of still shorter
wavelengths in the X-ray, gamma, and cosmic rays do reach
the surface of the earth. Generally, they are all combined into
a sort of hodgepodge of general background radiation and
referred to only in terms of total energy.
References to radiation from various electronic devices or
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 93

household appliances are frequently made as being no more

than the level of natural background radiation that a person
living at a higher altitude such as Denver would receive. This
is because of the lesser amount of atmosphere the radiation
from the sun and outer space has to penetrate in order to
reach the surface of the earth. As also previously explained,
the total energy in general natural background radiation is a
relatively broad, even amount of energy across the entire
general background spectrum. When this broad spectrum of
total energy is concentrated down to a narrow band or even
single wavelength, the effect is drastically different, even
though there is the same amount of total energy.
A rough comparison may be demonstrated with a magnify¬
ing glass in the sunlight. The total amount of sunlight over the
entire surface of the magnifying glass might feel quite com¬
fortable, but when the sunlight is concentrated down to a
pinpoint, the result will start a fire. Of course, the magnifying
glass is concentrating all the wavelengths that will penetrate
through the glass whereas the reference to the energy level of
radiation from electrical devices and household appliances are
generally to increased energy levels that are all in a specific
single wavelength or very narrow band of wavelengths. This
would have a much greater effect on a photoreceptor mecha¬
nism or wavelength absorption characteristic responsive only
to the particular wavelength or narrow band of wavelengths so
involved.
What I am driving at is the need to pay more attention to
the importance of trace amounts in radiation, as has been
accomplished in recent years in chemistry. Not so long ago
one part per million was hardly worth considering or bother¬
ing about but now one part per trillion is recognized as having
possible significance in affecting biological responses.
In my wavelength charts, instead of showing an absolute
cutoff of the sunlight energy in the ultraviolet at 290 nm, I am
94 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

continuing the line at the very bottom of the chart into the
shorter wavelengths of ultraviolet to indicate the trace levels
that many physicists now recognize do reach the surface of the
earth.
Thus, even though the principal absorption bands of Laet¬
rile are in the 250-270 nm area, which are beyond the 290 nm
basic cutoff point, they are so sensitive that only a trace level
of energy is needed to activate the biological combustion
process.
Other chemicals or minerals with less sensitive absorption
characteristics would need higher energy levels to produce
the same results. When a peak energy level happens to coin¬
cide with a very sensitive absorption characteristic, then a
photo-toxic reaction occurs, such as we are now hearing more
about.
The fact that the wavelength absorption begins to show in
the blue or shorter wavelengths of visible light strongly sug¬
gests a possible explanation for the difference in results ob¬
tained under the very pinkish lights at Sloan-Kettering and
the cool white used by Dr. Manner at Loyola University. It
would further logically explain the better results obtained in
sunnier climates, where there is a trace amount of the 250-
270 nm shortwave ultraviolet.
Today, one of the most important areas in research has to
do with cancer. In addition to extensive studies with labora¬
tory animals, there are reports published from time to time of
cases of complete remission in humans. Naturally, there is
always speculation as to some possible explanation. But as a
general rule, consideration is given only to what the person
did in an effort to treat the disease. No consideration is given
to what the person may have stopped doing that may have
been a causative or at least a contributing factor. The human
body has a tremendous healing or repair capability if given
half a chance. There is probably nothing that brings about a
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 95

more complete change in someone’s daily routine than learn¬

ing of a terminal disease such as cancer.
The cover story of Time magazine, about ten or fifteen years
ago, mentioned such a complete remission. A man, upon be¬
ing told he had terminal cancer, immediately stopped going
to his office and started reading in a rocking chair on an open
back porch and also working in his rose garden. The cancer
disappeared and he became a medically proven case of com¬
plete remission.
The cover story of Guideposts, April 1972, tells of “The
Healing of Maude Blanford.” This lady had received radiation
treatment and surgery, but the cancer had gone too far and it
could not be removed. She was put on narcotics to relieve the
excruciating pain and sent home to die. But she had spirit and
took up reading the Bible, conscientiously.
Her husband set up a cot for her outdoors under the trees
because the Holy Spirit had given her an intense desire to be
out-of-doors and a hunger to meet Jesus in His world. She
soon felt better and wanted to go fishing, which became a
daily occurrence. She looked at the breeze rippling the water,
at the wheeling birds and the distant hills. She praised the
Lord and kept on reading her Bible (outdoors). She soon
became another most unusual case of medically proven com¬
plete remission.
This lady was convinced that “faith” had cured her cancer.
No thought whatsoever was given to the change brought
about in her daily routine and the fact that she read her Bible
outdoors in the natural sunlight. What if, under the circum¬
stances, she had tried some controversial drug that many peo¬
ple go to sunny Mexico for? What might be the interaction of
this drug with the UV in sunlight?
Another similar case of complete remission I have heard of
from several reliable sources, and hope someday to be able to
verify firsthand, concerns a Scandinavian doctor who dis-
96 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

covered she had a terminal cancer. She was a great nutri¬

tionist and thought fresh fish from the sea would be helpful,
because they contain all the minerals from the sea and would
be freest of artificial preservatives and other additives. She
gave up her practice and went to a small town in northern
Norway, where living was very simple, and went out with the
fishermen every day to help catch her fish. She, too, became a
case of complete remission, but when she prescribed fresh
fish in the diets of her patients back in the city, it didn’t work.
(Any additional facts on this case would be greatly ap¬
preciated.)
One factor common to all these “exceptions” to the general
rule, as far as terminal cancer is concerned, is natural outdoor
light as compared with artificial, or filtered, light. Unfortu¬
nately, light is not even thought of as a possible variable to be
considered in cancer research.
But if light energy is associated with cancer, then the ques¬
tion might be raised as to the comparative cancer rate of
people still living under primitive conditions with those in
more highly industrialized nations. Unfortunately, the statis¬
tics on primitive people are the hardest to find and the least
reliable. Nevertheless, John Gunther mentions in his book,
Inside Africa, that “Africa has malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy,
syphilis, elephantiasis, yaws. Cancer is, however, almost un¬
known among Africans. . . . but the worst African disease is
something more prosaic than we have already mentioned,
malnutrition.”
If nutrition were the major factor with cancer, then it would
seem logical to find more cancer where malnutrition has been
a major problem. I am also concerned with the number of
prominent nutritionists in this country who have died of can¬
cer. This concern encompasses the loss through cancer of the
president and the head of research of Sloan-Kettering Memo¬
rial Hospital in New York City.
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 97

While visiting a tree shrew breeding farm in Bangkok,

Thailand, I encountered a comparable situation involving nu¬
trition. At that time there was a flurry of interest in using tree
shrews as experimental laboratory animals, because they are a
low form of primate, small and much less expensive to work
with than monkeys. However, the main source of supply was
Thailand, and new quarantine restrictions were creating se¬
vere difficulties in importing them.
An attempt was made to breed them in one of the laborato¬
ries at Harvard Medical School (under fluorescent lights) but
serious problems arose that were attributed to nutrition. It
was not practical to obtain the special diet of natural native
food from Thailand that tree shrews apparently need.
In Thailand I found the breeding was done in open sheds,
with no artificial lights at all, and not even any window glass to
“screen” the natural sunlight. When I asked the doctor in
charge about the tree shrews’ diet, he took me over to the
supply closet, opened the door, and showed me a ceiling-high
stack of bags of a popular brand of dog food imported from the
United States. I asked if any native food was added as a sup¬
plement, and the answer was “only a little water.”
I had also the privilege of meeting the daughter of the late
Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Our conversation dealt mostly with
her experiences as assistant to her father at Lambarene, on
the west coast of Africa. I asked her about the rate of cancer of
the people in that area, and she replied that when her father
had first started the hospital, they found no cancer at all, but
that now it was a problem. I asked if the people living there
had started installing glass windows and electric lights in their
otherwise simple surroundings, and she said they had not.
Then I half-jokingly asked her if any of the natives wore
sunglasses. She looked startled, and told me that the natives
paddling their dugout canoes up and down the river in front of
the hospital often wore no more than a loin cloth and sun-
98 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

glasses, and, indeed, some wore only sunglasses. She further

explained that sunglasses represented a status symbol of
civilization and education and had a higher bartering value
than beads and other such trinkets. This is, of course, hardly
scientific proof of a correlation between the wearing of sun¬
glasses and cancer, but it does raise an interesting question.
However, scientific proof of the influence of light on tumor
development (cancer) has now been demonstrated in an in¬
creasing number of scientifically controlled studies at recog¬
nized medical centers, confirming the results obtained in my
backyard laboratory.
In 1959, during a meeting with Dr. Jane C. Wright, who
was then in charge of cancer research at Bellevue Medical
Center in New York City, she became intrigued with the idea
that light energy transmitted through the eyes and stimulat¬
ing the pituitary gland might conceivably be a growth¬
regulating factor, as far as tumor development was concerned.
Shortly thereafter Dr. Wright selected fifteen terminal can¬
cer patients who visited the outpatient department for treat¬
ment of various types of tumors. A series of instructions en¬
titled “Suggestions for Outdoor Living” was given to these
patients. These instructions requested patients to avoid
artificial light or light received through glass and to remain
outdoors as much as possible. Wearing ordinary glasses or
sunglasses was not recommended. (See the end of chapter 11
for complete instructions.)
At the end of the summer, Dr. Wright advised me that,
while it was difficult to make an evaluation, it was her opin¬
ion, and that of her assistants, that fourteen of these fifteen
patients showed no further advancement in tumor de¬
velopment and several showed possible improvement. Subse¬
quently, it was discovered that the one patient whose condi¬
tion had deteriorated had not fully understood the
instructions. She had stopped wearing sunglasses, but con-
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 99

tinued to wear her regular prescription glasses, which

blocked the transmission of the ultraviolet portion of the natu¬
ral sunlight spectrum from entering the eyes.
Since cold weather was approaching, it was not possible for
these people to remain outdoors much of the time in the New
York City area. So Dr. Wright made arrangements for me to
show the time-lapse pictures and explain the story again to
the general research staff of the M. D. Anderson Hospital and
Tumor Clinic in Houston, Texas, on January 27, i960. It was
hoped that in view of the results obtained with the pilot ex¬
periment in New York, a greater number of patients might b§
kept outdoors under natural daylight conditions without their
glasses the year round in a southern climate with a milder
temperature.
However, as I presented my story, I became aware that the
atmosphere was becoming progressively colder. In fact, the
general response, even before I had completed the story, was
stone cold. Dr. Wright, in New York City, started to make
plans to repeat the experiment there the following summer,
but, shortly before the project was scheduled to be started, I
received a letter stating that circumstances made it necessary
to call off the project. In fact, criticism of the project had been
so great that it seemed advisable not to make any further
mention of the previous year’s experiment at all. The main
objections were that no patients were actually used as controls
and that any such experimental procedures should be first
proven with laboratory animals.
Later in 1959, Dr. Samuel Lee Gabby, Sherman Hospital,
Elgin, Illinois, set up a project using the C3H strain of mice,
which are highly susceptible to tumor development. Differ¬
ent lighting conditions were the only variable used.
Following is a summary of his report, dated October 18,
1961:
100 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

“Observations on the effects of artificial light on the health and de¬

velopment of mice,” by Samuel Lee Gabby, M.D., Senior Staff Mem¬
ber, Sherman Hospital, Elgin, Illinois.

For the past two years the research department of Sherman Hospital,
Elgin, Illinois, has been endeavoring to determine the effects of different
wavelengths of artificial light on the health and development of mice.
The strain of mice used was C3H/H and J with the original pair coming
from the Jackson Memorial Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine. The mice
were continuously brother-sister inbred. This strain of mouse will spon¬
taneously develop carcinoma of the breast in 98 percent of females and
males.
Thirty pairs of test mice were kept in a room lighted only with daylight
white fluorescent tubes. Thirty pairs of test mice were kept in another
room lighted only with pink fluorescent tubes. As a control experiment,
eight pairs were kept in still another room where they received daylight
through the ordinary window glass of a basement window.
In the room lighted by pink lights every female developed cancer
except one, which died of a> liver abnormality, the exact cause of which
we could not determine. Of the females in the room lighted by daylight
white lights, all but six developed cancer. Two died of liver degenera¬
tion. At this date four have not developed cancer and still survive. In
both artificially-lighted rooms, the size of cancer growth was approxi¬
mately the same. However, the females in the pink lighted room all died
about a month earlier than those in the room lighted by daylight white
bulbs. Those under pink lights stopped breeding about two months
earlier than those under daylight white light and their individual litters
were smaller. They gave birth to one or two offspring instead of the
normal six to fifteen.
The control mice in the daylight cages developed carcinoma of the
breast some two months later than the test mice which were kept in
daylight white artificial light and three months later than those under
pink lights. Two pairs of control mice out of the eight original pairs have
not developed carcinoma and still survive.
Our preliminary findings indicate to us that we should make further
investigations. We intend to continue our study on the effects of differ¬
ent wavelengths of light energy on animal life.

Also during 1959, Dr. Charles E. Galloway, associated with

the Evanston (Illinois) Hospital, and Dr. Charles Huggins, of
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 101

the Ben May Cancer Research Laboratory of the University of

Chicago, arranged to introduce me to Dr. Katherine Sydnor,
who had been conducting a research project with rats at the
university for six years.
Dr. Sydnor had been administering carcinogenic chemicals
to rats while keeping them under different light conditions.
Some were kept in total darkness and others were subjected
to various periods of artificial light of two different types. One
was daylight incandescent and the other was standard incan¬
descent light. Some of the rats had been blinded and the eye
itself removed. Dr. Sydnor was completing the six-year proj¬
ect at the Ben May Laboratory and was planning to move to
London, England for a year of study.
During her remaining time at Ben May Dr. Sydnor re¬
marked that the fur of the rats kept in total darkness was soft
and smooth in texture but quite thick and fully developed.
The same breed of rats exposed to the artificial lights had
bristly, coarse fur. Many of the animals under daylight incan¬
descent lights were completely bald on the top of their heads;
baldness continued down the ridge of their backs.
Dr. Sydnor also reported that the tumor development in
the rats kept under the lights was significantly greater than
those maintained in total darkness and that the rats kept
under the standard incandescent lights showed considerably
more and larger tumor developments than the group kept
under daylight incandescent lights. Dr. Sydnor indicated
complete surprise with the results and felt it would be neces¬
sary to repeat the experiments several times and give the
matter further thought before publishing the results.
Early in 1963, 1 was invited to give a seminar to the medical
staff of Evanston Hospital in Evanston, Illinois. Dr. Edward
F. Scanlon, head of the Cancer Research Committee, advised
me that a project currently under way consisted of injecting
hamsters with several different tumor transplants in connec-
102 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

tion with their studies of the effectiveness of various anti¬

tumor drugs. He suggested postponing the drug injections
with a particular group of animals if we would select half the
animals, at random, and keep them in the air curtain compart¬
ment in our laboratory animal quarters, where they would be
subjected to natural daylight. The other half would remain in
their regular laboratory quarters under cool-white fluorescent
lights. Dr. Scanlon and several members of his staff periodi¬
cally visited our laboratory as the project proceeded.
The results of this experiment showed that the animals that
had received a very fast-acting tumor transplant exhibited
little difference in the life span between those under the air
curtain and those that remained in the regular animal labora¬
tory facilities at the hospital under cool-white fluorescent
tubes. However, those animals that received a slower-acting
type of tumor transplant did show a significant difference. The
animals remaining under the cool-white fluorescent tubes
showed an average life span of 29 days, whereas those kept
under the air curtain averaged 43 days.
As a result of this preliminary experiment, a proposal for an
expanded project in this area was developed which would
include larger numbers of animals with different types of
tumors with a larger number of controls.
With the unanimous approval of the entire research com¬
mittee of the hospital, Dr. Scanlon wrote a report, together
with a request for a small research grant to carry on further
studies, and submitted this to the Illinois branch of the
American Cancer Society. The Illinois branch in turn for¬
warded the report and request to the American Cancer Soci¬
ety headquarters in New York City, and in due course the
following reply was received:

In a memorandum under date of December 9 we have received infor¬

mation from the Assistant Vice President for Research at National that
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 103

the Advisory Committee has recommended disapproval of this applica¬

tion, with the following comments:
It is proposed to study the effects of visible and near-visible light on
the growth of transplantable hamster cancer in hamsters, by exposing
inoculated animals to various bands of the spectrum and following the
animals through their life spans.
— —
It should be noted that the assay life span is a summation of a host
of factors not necessarily connected directly with tumor behavior per se.
The results will be difficult or impossible to interpret in any meaningful
way. Any direct effect of light on tumor cells cannot be observed in this
study and no evidence exists or is presented to warrant the belief that
such exists. No account is taken of the penetration of visible and near-
visible radiations into the animal or the tumor cells, nor of thermal and
photochemical effects (e g. bums); statistical precision for meaningful
correlations will be insufficient.
While there is every likelihood that exposure to different kinds of light
will affect certain physiological response in the animals, they [sic] will
only confuse the issue.
Support of this proposal and project as presented is not justified on
scientific grounds.

The power and authority of such a distinguished scientific

committee is awe inspiring. There is no recourse. Their word
is final. Their combined knowledge and wisdom is supreme.
But how can anyone be so certain as to what cannot cause
cancer until it is known what does? To say that considering
light as a variable would only further confuse the issue is
difficult to reconcile with the basic concepts of research.
Being turned down again was discouraging, to say the least,
but none of the reasons yet given by any reviewing committee
has offered any convincing evidence that light energy might
not be a missing link. In fact, all of the reasons given for
opposing the suggested light hypothesis indicated to me a
great need for additional and determined pursuit of the sub¬
ject.
The next project sponsored by the Environmental Health
and Light Research Institute covered the period from

t
104 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

November i, 1970, to October 31, 1973. It compared

cathode-shielded, full-spectrum fluorescent light versus cool¬
white, warm-white, pink, and black light fluorescent on the
development of Harding-Passey mouse melanoma, and was
carried out by T. W. Sery, R. Pollikoff and M. Kaczurowski of
the Wills Eye Hospital and Research Institute, Philadelphia.
This study was undertaken in an effort to confirm earlier
reports that natural sunlight had an influence on the rate of
occurrence of spontaneous mammary tumors in C3H inbred
mice. The Harding-Passey melanoma (HP) in albino BALB/c
strain mice was also utilized.
The procedure followed was to inject HP cells subcutane¬
ously in mice in groups totaling up to 80 mice, placing all mice
in a single cage for random dispersion and then randomly
separating them into groups of 10 mice per cage. Cages were
then divided into two or more groups for special lighting
conditions.
Tumors which were examined at autopsy were found to be
multilobulated in mice which were kept under cool-white
light whereas mice kept under shielded, full-spectrum lights
tended to be not only single lobed, but fewer in number and
smaller in size.
The results indicate that cathode-shielded, full-spectrum
fluorescent lighting may be an important environmental fac¬
tor in slowing down tumor development, and that exposure to
increased intensity of near ultraviolet light alone may also
have an influence on increasing tumor development.
As yet, there are many unanswered questions in this field.
However, one very pertinent point clearly emerges from the
studies given here: specific wavelengths of light affect the
incidence and severity of tumors in experimental animals, and
they may have an effect on tumors in humans.
A more recent addition to the above data was presented at
the Fifth International Congress of Radiation Research, held
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 105

in Seattle, Washington, July 14-20, 1974. Abstract number

A-10-3 is a paper entitled “Illumination and X-Ray Effects on
Tumorigenesis in Rodents,” by Kiki B. Hellman and C. David
Lytle of the Bureau of Radiological Health, Rockville, Mary¬
land.
Female weaning Osborne-Mendel rats were inoculated
with an average of 5-10 x 105 cultured tumor cells; this re¬
sulted in 80-100 percent incidence of tumors by seven days
after injection. This model was used to investigate the effects
of light illumination or X-irradiation on tumor initiation and
progression. The inoculated rats were exposed to a 12-hour
cycle of overhead illumination from fluorescent lights that
were filtered to provide broad wavelength bands of either red
or blue light (100 p,W/cm2; 30 foot-candles). Blue light illumi¬
nation resulted in decreased tumor incidence that was not
seen for either the control or red light illumination.
No figures were given to indicate the degree of decreased
tumor incidence, but these results appear to confirm the re¬
sults found by Dr. Sydnor regarding tumor development in
rats under standard incandescent lights as compared to rats
under daylight incandescent lights. This pattern also showed
itself in the experiments performed by Dr. Gabby in the
comparison between the pink fluorescent lights and the day¬
light white fluorescent lights.
Most of the foregoing information has been published in
many of the different articles listed in the bibliography, and
much of it is in Health and Light. I am hopeful that by putting
it all together in this chapter, it may be more obvious that
light is the missing link in cancer research.
To me, the major inconsistency in present-day cancer re¬
search is that in spite of all the “breakthroughs” and claims for
improved methods of both detection and treatment, and the
billions of dollars spent, the cancer death rate is continuing to
rise at an alarming rate. Whereas, according to the latest U.S.
106 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Public Health figures (1978), all the other diseases show de¬
—
creases except influenza, which remains unchanged for the
period 1970-78.
It is difficult to reconcile with the general concepts of can¬
cer research the fact that the findings reported by six major
medical centers that light influences the rate, size, and num¬
ber of tumors in laboratory animals is being completely ig¬
nored by both the National Cancer Institute and the Ameri¬
can Cancer Society.
In an interview by Joel Greenburg, science writer for the
Miami Herald, Dr. Bayard Morrison, Assistant Director of
the National Cancer Institute, said, “No one here is involved
in that kind of research. There is no built-in bias against
Dr. Ott or anyone else; it’s just that his proposals have not
been relevant to ongoing work.”
However, I am apparently not the only person with propo¬
sals that are not relevant to the ongoing work or narrow limi¬
tations imposed on cancer research by the peer review com¬
mittees of the National Cancer Institute. I quote from a
recent newspaper article:
“The National Foundation for Cancer Research is a private
organization that primarily funds the work of Dr. Albert
Szent-Gyorgyi” (a two-time Nobel Prize winner) said a
spokeswoman for the Cancer Information Service of the Uni¬
versity of Miami School of Medicine.”
The spokeswoman further noted . . that the foundation
had applied in 1973 and again in 1975 for a grant from the
National Cancer Institute. The earlier grant, though ap¬
proved, wasn’t funded. The 1975 application, for research
into electronic states and cancer, ‘was unable to be approved
on the basis of scientific merit.’”
The identity of the peers on the N.C.I. Review Committee
seems to be classified information, guarded more rigidly than
national defense secret information that reaches the press
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 107

quite regularly. I sincerely hope that the committee members

are truly qualified to tell scientists like Dr. Szent-Gyorgyi
which areas of cancer research they may investigate and
which they may not.
All the foregoing represents statistics only, and statistics by
themselves can get pretty boring. I have heard that one pic¬
ture is more realistic and worth 10,000 words. If so, the fol¬
lowing sequence ought to equal quite a few words, including a
lot of statistics.
These pictures show a five-year-old girl named Sara, and
the following information has been given to me in a report on
Sara’s case by Leslie H. Salov, M.D., director of The Vision
and Health Center of Whitewater, Wisconsin:
In the latter part of August 1978, Mrs. K., mother of Sara (who at that
time was 4/2 years old) noticed the sudden onset of a protrusion of the
child's left eye. This protrusion is called a proptosis. With the protru¬
sion, the eye became very inflamed, red, and the lids swollen. In the
following three days the eye continued to push out from the orbit rather
rapidly until the eye protruded out of its socket almost three quarters of
an inch. The eye was grotesque and the parents became alarmed by the
appearance as well as the significance of what this condition might mean.
The child was taken to see an ophthalmologist. Several visits and
examinations by other ophthalmologists followed in succession, as well as
consultations with a neuro-ophthalmologist and pediatricians. The child
was hospitalized and put on several different kinds of medications. After
several days of the use of these medications, hemorrhaging occurred and
the medications were discontinued.
Let me explain what can cause protrusion of the eye. This can result
from orbital inflammation, edema, tumors, injuries, congenital
glaucoma, thrombosis of the sinus caverns or even extremely high my¬
opia (nearsightedness). There is also the consideration of hyperthyroid¬
ism which results in edema and lymphoid infiltration of the orbital tis¬
sues and this can cause the protrusion of either one or both eyeballs.
(Protrusion is also called exophthalmos). Another possibility could have
been an arteriovenous blockage or aneurysm which involves the internal
carotid artery (one of the main arteries leading from the heart and going
up to the brain). Because of all these possible differential diagnoses in
108 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Sara’s case, extensive neuro-scanning as well as angiograms were per¬

formed. An angiogram is the injection of contrast material (a dye) in¬
jected through a needle into the blood stream. This procedure necessi¬
tates the careful choice of the contrast material, its viscosity, lack of
toxicity and efficiency of opacification. Iodinated compounds are usually
used. The contrast material travels through the blood stream, and in
Sara’s case, through the circulation in and around the orbit. X-rays are
then taken at six times per second of the blood as it passes through the
blood stream. This will indicate where there might be an obstruction,
tumor, etc. Since the film exposure cannot be seen during the injections,
the adequacy of timing and injections is not known until the films are
developed. All contrast media are hypertonic and are excreted by the
kidneys. There are complications which can develop with such a proce¬
dure, but as in all invasive diagnostic tests, the risks must be calculated.

—
As a result of these tests it was determined that Sara did indeed have
—
five blood tumors called lymphangiomas behind the left eyeball and
that these tumors were pressing on the veins and optic nerve, causing
the pushing out of the eyeball. If this condition were to continue, the
pressure would soon kill off the optic nerve and the result would be
blindness in that eye.
There followed at this time several surgical procedures which included
a biopsy, a temporalectomy, and orbitonomy, and decompression of the
left eye was also tried. In an attempt to get at the tumors, one of the
surgical procedures, the temporalectomy, required incising the left tem¬
poral bone. The child survived all of the surgeries, but none of the
procedures was successful, nor were the efforts to decompress the pro¬
truding eye. Sara’s proptosis did not improve, but seemed to be getting
worse. By this time, Sara’s vision in her left eye had deteriorated to her
ability to see only hand motions when the hand was held within inches of
her left eye. The eye protruded out of her socket more than % of an inch
now.
The then-attending ophthalmologists and surgeons advised the pa¬
rents that there was “nothing more that could be done” and that the
prognosis was poor. It was suggested that they wait until the left eyeball
was completely exposed out of the socket and then they would go in
surgically through the front and remove the left eyeball and the entire
mass and total contents of the left orbit, and in this way remove all the
tumors. The parents were devastated. The thought of their little girl
losing an eye was tragic for them even to contemplate.
It was just about this time that Mrs. K. happened to see a notice of a
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 109

lecture being given by me on November 4, 1978, where I would be

speaking on “Wholistic Ophthalmology.” Both parents attended the lec¬
ture and afterward came up to me and told the story of their child and
asked if there was “anything that could be done for her.” In my experi¬

—
ence treating eye and health problems, I have found that sometimes
there is hope even when a patient has been told that “there is no
hope.” But before I could even suggest bringing the child to Vision and
Health Center in Wisconsin for ophthalmological examination and evalu¬
ation, I told the parents I would like to speak with the little girl. It was
my feeling that if there was any possibility of being able to do anything, I
—
would first have to find out what kind of a child Sara was because a
child that young, under normal circumstances, would be unable to follow
a regimen of a wholistic approach which would mean the complete coop¬
eration of the child in following directions and guidance.
After spending several hours with Sara, having her sit on my knee and
establishing a kind of grandfather-granddaughter relationship, talking to
her, I was convinced that here was no ordinary average 4Vz-year-old. I
had the intuitive feeling that this little girl would be able to follow
directions and would be able to cooperate if indeed I should find that I
— —
could help her. It was then and only then that I advised the parents
that it would be necessary to bring the child out to our Vision and Health

—
Center in Wisconsin and they would have to spend the entire day with
—
me just the parents, Sara and myself starting at 8:00 a.m. until 6
o’clock in the evening.
Prior to their visit, I requested all of the medical and surgical reports
to be forwarded to me from the previous doctors and hospitals. The child
was brought to our Center and the day was spent examining the child,
explaining to the child about her eye problem in simple language. She
understood exactly what I explained to her and had the intelligence and
ability to understand about the treatment and therapies that I had in
mind for her to do. Again, I had the strong intuitive feeling that this child
was very special, and she would be able to do exactly as I wanted. She
understood so well that when she went home after spending the entire
day with me, she drew a picture of what I had explained to her was in the
back of her eye.
I demonstrated a technique to her called visual imagery, which was
one of the modalities that I had in mind for her. I explained that she was
going to look at the picture that she had drawn of the five tumors behind
her eye and that her mother was going to give her a pail and a bulb which
would be filled with red water. She was then going to imagine that when
110 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

she squeezed the bulb that had the red water in it, she would “see” the
red water go down into the pail .... and that she would imagine that
those tumors behind her eye were like the bulb, and when the bulb was
squeezed the bulb would get smaller and smaller as the red water came
—
out of it just like the tumors behind her eyeball.
When I asked her to repeat what I had told her, this is what she said:
“My mommy is going to give me a rubber bulb that has red water in it
and she is going to give me a pail. Then I am going to make believe that
the bulb is those bags of blood in my eye and when I squeeze the bulb
the bags of blood are going to get smaller and smaller.” The amazing
interpretation of her repeating the instructions was that she substituted
red water to “blood,” and her imagination was so vivid and the demon¬
stration so real to her that I had no further qualms about any of the other
therapies that I was going to institute for her.
To explain medically and scientifically the value of the “visual im¬
agery” that we used, we know that as a wholistic modality, “visualization
or visual imagery or mental imagery” is a powerful tool, and as visualiza¬
tion and expectancy are attached to one’s own volitional effort, the skill is
developed and embodies genuine self-regulation of the autonomic ner¬
vous system. This, in turn, can affect organic and functional changes in
one’s body. This has been proven time and time again with biofeedback
instrumentation, as demonstrated by Drs. Elmer and Alyce Green at the
Menninger Clinic, Carl O. Simonton, M.D., oncologist, as well as in
hospitals, medical schools, etc. throughout the world.
We advised both Sara and the parents of our wholistic (holistic mean¬
ing “entire”) concept and from that point on, we had the complete coop¬
eration of both Sara and her mother and father.
Sara was then placed on an intensive program which consisted of a
variety of therapies and modalities, some of which included: light
therapy, color therapy, sound therapy, the highest and purest of nutri¬
tion which excluded all additives, chemicals, denatured foods; vitamin
therapy, special exercises, relaxation procedures, deep rhythmic abdo¬
minal breathing exercises, guided imagery and other modalities. Even
during the winter months of December of 1978 and January-February of
1979, the child was exposed to sunlight under controlled conditions,
with her head bare, to receive the light and full spectrum and cosmic
energy into her eyes and whole body, not only through the photorecep¬
tors in her eyes, but the additional photoreceptors that we are now sure
are present in the brain and skin of the entire body.
Sara and her parents were unbelievably cooperative. The progress was
gratifying.
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 111

It is said that “pictures can say more than a thousand words’’ and by
the progression of these photos [see illustrations] from November 1978,
when we first saw Sara, to December 1979, the progress and absorption
of the tumors from behind the left eye, as well as the restoration of the
positioning of the eye so that it is now in its normal depth in the orbit,
can be seen.
Sara’s vision at the present time in her left eye is gradually approach¬
ing normal. She continues under treatment for further vision im¬
provement.
This patient is an inspiring example of the wholistic approach in re¬
habilitating an eye condition even as severe as this one, which did not
respond to traditional medical or surgical intervention.
It is of the utmost importance to say that the great understanding,
cooperation, dedication and love of the parents and all those involved in
caring for Sara played a major role in her recovery.

Leslie H. Salov, M.D.

I asked Dr. Salov more about the light therapy and color
therapy mentioned in his report, and he explained that he had
her wear blue clothes and her room was redecorated in blue.
She took off her clothes and sat in a blue cloth tent in her
room four times a day for fifteen minutes, and she also regu¬
larly went outdoors in the sunlight four times each day, for at
least fifteen minutes during the coldest weather and longer
when weather permitted. She did not watch television.
The following are reproductions of two letters regarding
Sara:

July 31, 1979

The Honorable Patricia Harris

Secretary
Department of Health, Education and Welfare
200 Independence Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20201

Dear Madam Secretary:

Enclosed are several photographs showing improvement in the left
112 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

eye of a five-year-old girl from tumor mass, which was diagnosed through
biopsy as lymphangioma. She had been operated on three times to re¬
move the tumor mass without success, and the surgeon recommended
removal of the eye and all orbital tissue.
At this point, her parents placed her under the care of Dr. Leslie
Salov, an ophthalmologist, located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Dr. Salov
terminated all traditional medication and placed the little girl on a high
nutritional, natural food diet and light therapy program. The light
therapy consisted of using blue light as is now common in treatment of
jaundice in premature babies, and also especially natural sunlight.
Also enclosed are copies of several newspaper articles and a reprint
entitled, “The Eyes’ Dual Function” from Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat,
giving more details of the studies confirming the effects of light on tumor
development which were done at six recognized major medical centers.
I am also enclosing an autographed copy of my book Health and Light,
with the full story including the continuing negative response from the
National Cancer Institute to the written report signed by the medical
doctors in charge of cancer research at the six medical schools and hospi¬
tals mentioned above.
I am bringing this matter to your attention with the hope that you may
be able, through the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, to
emphasize the urgent need to include light as a variable in cancer re¬
search and under scientific control, rather than being left up to the
janitor as is being done in virtually all research laboratories at the pres¬
ent time.
I hope you will have time in your busy schedule to give some con¬
sideration to these enclosures.

Very sincerely,

John Ott, Sc.D. (Hon.)

August 24, 1979

Dear Dr. Ott:

Ms. Patricia Harris, Secretary of the Department of Health, Educa¬
tion, and Welfare, has asked the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to
respond to your recent letter in which you enclose various papers relat¬
ing to your work in the field of photobiology. I appreciate this opportu¬
nity to review these documents and your book, Health and Light, which
you also were good enough to send.

I
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK / 113

In your letter you urge that light be studied as a variable in cancer

research. I think that your book and the additional materials you sent
serve to illustrate the increasing attention being paid to this area of
research. Dr. Thomas J. Dougherty of Roswell Park Memorial Institute
is, for example, an NCI grantee working with photoradiation therapy for
cancer. I have enclosed the abstract of a paper on the subject that he
presented at the April 1978 meeting of ASCO. I suspect that the Na¬
tional Institutes of Health (NIH) is supporting a considerable amount of
other work relating to the biologic effects of visible and ultraviolet light.
We have no record that you have submitted research proposals to NIC
in recent years, but emphasize that any proposal submitted will be
evaluated critically and fairly. Inasmuch as the sum of research funds
requested far exceeds the amount of money available to fund research
applications, less than fifty percent of approved new proposals can be
funded. The review of research proposals is conducted not by NIH
personnel, but rather by non-Govemment people who, through a rigor¬
ous dual review system, assign priorities in terms of quality of science,
adequacy of facilities, scientific relevance and promise, and qualifications
of the investigator.
You probably do not remember, but I was one of those present when
you described your work to some members of the NCI staff in 1972. I
also had the opportunity to chat with you on another occasion. We are
much aware of the prominent role you have played in illuminating and
drawing attention to a largely unexplored field.
I hope my comments will be useful to you. Please let me know if I can
be of any further assistance.

Sincerely yours.

Bayard H. Morrison III, M.D.

Assistant Director
National Cancer Institute
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland 20014

Following is another letter of interest from my files:

114 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

October 6, 1977

Dear Dr. Ott:

I came to know of your work concerning the effect of light of different
wavelengths on plants and animals through a lecture that you gave at the
National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland and through reading
your book entitled "Health and Light.” I have also read your manuscript
entitled “The Importance of Laboratory Lighting as an Experimental
Variable.”
I recently came to the National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences to take over as Chief of the Laboratory of Environmental
Biophysics. Our laboratory is concerned with the effects of physical fac¬
tors including nonionizing radiation and noise on man and other experi¬
mental animals. At the present time we do not have any program to
study the effect of light as a biological agent affecting man. However, we
are considering setting up a program to study the effect of light on
experimental animals and their response to different environmental
agents. In your book and in your manuscript, you make reference to
studies involving the effect of light of different wavelengths on spontane¬
ous tumor development in C3H mice. These experiments seem to indi¬
cate that different wavelengths of light energy do indeed influence the
time required for spontaneous tumor development in C3H mice. I would
very much like to know whether the study was finally published and
whether these studies are continuing.

Sincerely,

Colin F. Chignell, Ph.D., Chief

Laboratory of Environmental Biophysics
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

As a result of the above letter, I gave two seminars at the

Laboratory of Environmental Biophysics, N.I.E.H.S. in Re¬
search Triangle Park, N.C. and following is another most en¬
couraging letter from Dr. Chignell:
 LIGHT — THE MISSING LINK I 115

May 15> 1981

Dear John:
Enclosed you will find a preprint of our paper entitled The Effect of
Different Types of Fluorescent Lighting on Reproduction and Tumor
Development in the C3H Mouse.” The manuscript has been submitted
to Photochemistry and Photobiology for publication. As you will see we
did find some effects on both tumor development time and reproduction
in the cool white and pink groups. Since the C3H mouse suffers from
progressive retinal degeneration which is complete at the time of wean¬
ing, it is not apparent whether the observed changes are mediated via
the eyes or the skin.
Best wishes.

Sincerely yours,

Colin F. Chignell, Ph.D., Chief,

Laboratory of Environmental Biophysics

Additional encouraging published articles are listed as fol¬

lows:
'Mutagenicity and Toxicity of Visible Fluorescent Light to Cultured Mam¬
malian Cells," Matthews O. Bradley and Nancy A. Sharkey, Nature, Vol.
266, 21 April 1977, pp. 724-726.
"Influence of Visible Light on Organ Weights of Mice,” Cora G. Saltarelli
and Christine P. Coppola, Laboratory Animal Science, Vol. 29, No. 3,
June 1979, pp. 319-322.
"Spectral Power Distribution of Light Sources Affects Growth and De¬
velopment of Rats," Yoshisuke Ozaki and Richard J. Wurtman, Photo¬
chemistry and Photobiology, Vol. 29, 5 July 1978, pp. 339-341.
"Phototoxicity, The Neglected Factor,” Dennis P. Valenzeno, Ph.D., and
John P. Pooler, Ph.D., JAMA, Vol. 242, No. 5, Aug. 3, 1979, pp. 453-
454'
“Uremic Pruritus Treated with Ultraviolet Light," Bryan C. Shultz, M.D.
and Henry H. Roenigk, Jr., M.D., JAMA, Vol. 243, No. 18, May 9, 1980,
PP- 1836-1837.
“Fluorescent Light Induces Malignant Transformation in Mouse Embryo
Cell Cultures,” Ann R. Kennedy, Mark A. Ritter and John B. Little,
Science, Vol. 207, 14 March 1980, pp. 1209-1211.
116 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

“Ionizing Radiation from Tinted Single Vision Spectacle Lenses,” J. Louis

Pecora, M.D. and James Brownridge, Journal of the American Op¬
tometric Association, Vol. 51, Number 1, 1/80, pp. 44-45.
“Blue Light and Bilirubin Excretion," Antony F. McDonagh, Lucita A.
Palma and David A. Lightner, Science, Vol. 208, 11 April 1980, pp. 145-
15L
“Food Dyes Impair Performance of Hyperactive Children on a Laboratory
Learning Test,” James M. Swanson and Marcel Kinsboume, Science,
Vol. 207, 28 March 1980, pp. 1485-1487.
Note: The above article mentions using a placebo (sugar) for comparison
of results with various artificial food dyes.
“Behavioral Responses to Artificial Food Colors," Bernard Weiss, J. Hicks
Williams, Sheldon Margen, Barbara Abrams, Bette Caan, L. Jay Citron,
Christopher Cox, Jane McKibben, Dale Ogar and Stephen Schultz, Sci¬
ence, Vol. 207, 28 March 1980, pp. 1487-1489.
“Neurotransmitter Release from a Vertebrate Neuromuscular Synapse Af¬
fected by a Food Dye,” George J. Augustine, Jr. and Herbert Levitan,
Science, Vol. 207, 28 March 1980, pp. 1489-1490.
 RESISTANCE TO CHANGE
9 IN CANCER RESEARCH

R-l bombers? No! Airplanes are out of date. No longer or¬

thodox. Cruise missiles now.
What would Billy Mitchell have thought about that after all
the trouble he had in trying to convince the Army to try using
airplanes to drop bombs on the enemy?
Streetcars? When I started working as a security analyst in
the trust department of a large Chicago bank, streetcar bonds
were on the approved list of securities suitable for the invest¬
ment of widows’ and orphans’ trust funds. They were sound
securities with a good outlook for future earnings, and recom¬
mended highly by our Senior Trust Investment Committee.
What do you imagine would have been their response if I had
submitted a report criticizing the future outlook of the Chicago
Streetcar System, and talked about men going to the moon in a
rocket and back to earth again, landing a couple of robot labora¬
tories on Mars to study soil samples for signs of life, and sending
back color pictures and detailed information and talking with the
—
men on the moon and enough! Get rid of that lunatic. He
should be locked up for good! At that time, the expression “crazy
118 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

as talking about Man going to the moon” was used to convey the
ultimate of the ridiculous and the impossible.
Then what about suggesting that wearing pink-tinted contact
lenses might cause cancer? Well, that might need a little ex¬
plaining, too. On the face of it, it seems almost too ridiculous to
waste the time, money, and effort to bother with when there are
so many other important and more orthodox areas of cancer
research to be investigated.
Our Senior Trust Investment Committee was comprised of
experts, men who had spent years studying the problems as¬
sociated with investing money; they were experienced in all
kinds of investment securities; they had followed the de¬
velopment and progress of the Chicago Streetcar System since
its inception and were thoroughly familiar with both its manage¬
ment and operation. They had all graduated from college with
top honors and degrees. Certainly it would not be prudent to
ask a streetcar motorman or mechanic anything about running
the company.
There have been stories about the office boy becoming presi¬
dent, but these are exceptions to the general rule, and office
boys should certainly not be depended on for making manage¬
ment decisions until they do become president. This is just the
way things are, the way the ball rolls. This is the orthodox way to
run a bank or a streetcar system or anything else, including
cancer research.
Like our Senior Trust Investment Committee, it is quite log¬
ical that doctors with the highest honors and degrees should be
on the Medical Review Committees. They know the medical
literature on cancer backward and forward. They have virtually
memorized it, and nothing about tinted lenses, sun glasses, or
artificial light has ever been mentioned in medical school. Very
little was ever mentioned about nutrition either. So why get
excited about tinted lenses and light when there are so many
other possible causes of cancer constantly being reported by
 CANCER RESEARCH / 119

orthodox researchers all the time? So many things we eat,

breathe, or otherwise come in daily contact with are now
hazardous to your health. It has almost reached the point where
the normal life process is hazardous, because ultimately you are
going to die. Of course, the real question is when. At what age?
Ten, sixty-five, or one hundred and ten?
But why should there always be such antagonism and opposi¬
tion to any and all new ideas unless they can be supported by
the literature? It seems to me that one serious fallacy in our
present approach to orthodox cancer research lies in the fact that
the answer may not be in the literature. We may have to look
elsewhere for it. My ideas may be overly naive, but I would
suggest looking into the case histories of the people who have
experienced complete recovery from cancer. I would talk with
their doctors and compare the various types of treatment used,
changes made in the patients’ daily routine and environmental
exposure instead of threatening to revoke the doctor’s license for
having used an unorthodox treatment. More emphasis should
be placed on the results.
I think there is some unrecognized reason for so-called spon¬
taneous remissions in cancer, and a greater effort should be
made to find out what it might have been. I also question
whether the type of treatment to be used should be a matter for
the Supreme Court to decide. In the early days of medicine,
holes were drilled in the skulls of mentally ill people to let the
demons out. And during the early days of our country, bloodlet¬
ting was a very common practice for the treatment of the ill.
Today, transfusions are given. If the answer to cancer is in the
literature, then some of our most scholarly students would
surely have found it by now.
Memory and the photographic mind are unquestionably im¬
portant qualities. The person with the best memory may come
up with all the right answers in the final college exams, but he or
she may still lack the aggressiveness necessary for a new ap-
120 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

proach to do things differently. Maybe the answer, when even¬

tually found, won’t be exactly orthodox, as far as present-day
thinking is concerned. Think of the humiliation and disgrace
under present-day standards if an educated expert did try some¬
thing new and different, and was wrong, and lost his job for
making such a mistake. Just like the security analyst, the re¬
searcher’s job is made much more secure by being conservative
and doing nothing that might rock the boat.
Serendipity and empirical are words that should be taken
more seriously and not just shrugged off as a joke. Webster’s
dictionary defines serendipity as “the finding of things not
sought for” and empirical as “relying on experience or observa¬
tions alone without proper regard for considerations of systems,
science, and theory.”
Too many scholars with excellent memories and photographic
minds lack the initiative or ability to fully apply their knowl¬
edge, or they are afraid to speak their minds for fear of criticism
or ostracism by their colleagues.
When NASA started the space program, none of the transpor¬
tation experts on our trust investment committee were asked to
help design the rockets. What do you think a symphony or¬
chestra made up of all the top music critics would sound like?
But that is just the kind of music we are getting from the peers
on the cancer review committee. You seldom find a historian
making history.
Until the answer to cancer is found, how can anyone be cer¬
tain that tinted lenses or any other hypothesis is wrong? Too
many scientists are ultra-conservative in their own views as to
what may cause cancer, but they speak out unequivocally and
confidently in stating what could not possibly be a contributing
factor. What is desperately needed is better communications
and more open discussions on the subject, bearing in mind
Webster’s definition of “research” as “a critical and exhaustive
examination having for its aim the discovery of new facts and
 CANCER RESEARCH / 121

their correct interpretation, the revision of accepted conclu¬

sions, theories or laws in the light of newly discovered facts, or
the practical application of such new or revised conclusions,
theories or laws.”
Many of the great discoveries of the past have come about
accidentally. But whether the discovery is accidental or the
result of long studious hours of work, the results always seem to
meet resistance by those reluctant to give up the old ideas for
new. There is still a society for preservation of the belief that the
world is flat.
10 TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY

It may be difficult to present adequately the opposing side of

what you honestly believe yourself without prejudice, but I will
try.
In the early 1960s, Kenneth E. Keuter, who was in charge of
caring for all the laboratory animals at Abbott Laboratories in
North Chicago and very active in all the research done at Abbott
with laboratory animals, worked with me unofficially, during his
off-hours, on the first major study of the effects of different types
of light on laboratory animals. We did this at my “backyard
laboratory” in Lake Bluff, Illinois, which was adjacent to North
Chicago, where Abbott’s headquarters were located.
We jointly presented the results at the 15th Annual Meeting
of the Animal Care Panel of the American Association for Labo¬
ratory Animal Sciences held at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in
Chicago in 1964. Our paper, mentioning the effects of different
kinds of fluorescent light on tumor development, sex ratio, and
other physiological processes, was very fully and accurately re¬
ported by the Medical Tribune in the issue of October 19, 1964.
Two years later, at the 17th Annual Meeting of the same
organization held at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in 1966, R. J.
 TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY / 123

—
Blinzley and W. L. Hafley both of Westinghouse Research
reported that they could not observe any significant trends or
—
indications as the result of keeping laboratory animals under
different types of fluorescent light.
When I first reported finding X-rays coming from television
sets, Charles J. Hirsch, head of research for RCA, sent out the
following letter:

RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA PRINCETON, N.J.

November 3, 1966

Mr. Rexford Daniels

Mr. Carl B. Braestrup
Dr. Herbert Stauffer
Dr. Clifford E. Nelson
Mr. Henry Rechen

Gentlemen: I
The attached statement is sent by RCA in answer to individual inquinl!
regarding Mr. John N. Ott’s statements about alleged biological effects from
color television sets.
This statement is transmitted for your information.

Sincerely,

Charles J. Hirsch

November 2, 1966

Alleged Effects of Radiation from Color Television Sets

At various times, Mr. John Ott, an eminent time-lapse photographer, has

made statements, which were reported by the press, regarding the possible
harmful effects of radiation from color television sets. The following state¬
ment was prepared as a reply to Mr. Ott.
To limit the X-ray dosage received by television viewers to a very small
fraction of that received from the normal background, the National Council
for Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) recommended that the
124 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

emission of X-rays should not exceed 0.5 milliroentgens per hour at a

distance of two inches from any accessible part of a television set. (One
milliroentgen is the equivalent of one millirem of any type of ionizing
radiation in producing biological damage.)
Normal background ionizing radiation from surroundings averages 100
millirems per year, although it may reach 200 millirems per year in some
places, such as Denver, Colorado. The Federal Radiation Council recom¬
mends that exposure of the whole body of individuals in the general popula¬
tion shall not exceed 500 millirems per year from all man-made causes
except for deliberate medical reasons. The Radiation Code of most states
follow this recommendation.
Television set manufacturers have long been concerned that the level of
X-rays from any accessible part of television sets shall not exceed the level
specified by NCRP and have taken steps to that effect. For example, a
typical 25-inch color television set operated under normal conditions emits
about one tenth of that level (0.05 mr. /hr.) from the screen. The remainder
of the picture tube is shielded so that the radiation level from the rest of the
set is too low to be measured.
A child located only 40 inches (one meter) from this typical set and
matching three hours per day would accumulate in one year only four
millirems from the television set and 100 millirems from the floor, walls,
etc. for a total of 104 millirems. If he sits 80 inches (two meters) from this
set, he receives only 1.0 millirem from the television set and 100 millirems
from his surroundings. He may absorb more ionizing radiation from the
sand when lying on the beach. This dosage is far less than if he lived in
Denver where most children are quite healthy, in spite of the higher level
of radiation.
In view of repeated statements in the press, attributed to Mr. Ott, a
request was made to an independent pathological laboratory to check the
validity of Mr. Ott’s test results on rats and plants. This laboratory is
directed by an eminent pathologist connected with several hospitals. Ex¬
perts on plants from a large university were also consulted by the labora¬
tory. Histological examinations were performed on the sternum, spleen,
ileum, gonad, and brain of a large number of rats. The pathologist’s sum¬
mary follows.
Summary of Work “Experiments designed to duplicate the work of Mr.
John Ott, in which bush beans and rats were raised directly in front of color
television sets, failed to yield the results he obtained. The growth and
behavior of our plants and animals fell within normal limits and our statis¬
tical samples were of larger magnitude than his.
 TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY I 125

, Weaning Wistar rats, all located within 24 inches of a color television set
operating eight hours per day, developed normally and produced normal
offspring who in turn developed and produced another generation of off¬
spring whose behavior and anatomy were normal. Likewise, bush bean
seedlings and Tradescantia cuttings similarly exposed grew to maturity and
reproduced without demonstrable abnormal morphology.
Note: The ionizing radiation from late model 25-inch sets is closer to 0.01
mr per hour than to 0.05 mr per hour used above for conservative reasons.
This means that at viewing distances of 40 inches and 80 inches, the ioniz¬
ing radiation from the television set is one fifth of the levels mentioned
above or 0.8 and 0.2 millirems respectively. The ionizing radiation due to
surroundings averages 100 millirems.

I offered to let RCA test the TV sets I was using in my

experiments, but my offer was not accepted. Chapter 12 in
Health and Light gives the complete TV radiation story about
the many thousands of TV sets of different makes and models
that were recalled because they were found to be giving off X-
radiation in excess of government safety limitations. As recorded
in the Congressional Record, the highest level found was 1.6
million times greater than the permissible level of .5 milliroent¬
gens per hour, which had been lowered nine times since the
original safety level for exposure to X-rays of 25 roentgens per 24
hours was first established shortly after their discovery in 1895
by Wilhelm Roentgen. As a result of my further studies, I firmly
believe that the present safety level needs to be substantially
lowered.
When I reported finding two types of radiation coming from
fluorescent lights, there were a number of articles that appeared
challenging this finding, including one entitled “We Cannot
Believe . , by C. L, Crouch, Director of Research of the
Illuminating Engineering Research Institute, which is spon¬
sored by the Illuminating Engineering Society. It was published
in the Human Factors Society Bulletin, April 1975.
In his article, Crouch states that “John Ott is currently claim¬
ing that normal fluorescent fighting is causing irritability and
126 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

hyperactivity in school. We cannot believe at this point that

fluorescent lighting, which has been in wide use since the early
1940s, is causing such a disturbance of physiological and psycho¬
logical effects as Ott indicates. If this were true, people would
have been severely handicapped in being efficient in learning or
working in offices, schools, libraries and industry.”
I was particularly pleased to be invited by the editor of the
Human Factors Society Bulletin to submit a reply to Mr.
Crouch’s article and also that Dr. Bernard Rimland, noted au¬
thor on child behavior and director of the Institute for Child
Behavior Research, San Diego, California, assisted me in pre¬
paring my reply which appeared in the same issue of the Bulle¬
tin as Mr. Crouch’s article.
Mr. Crouch stresses that if fluorescent lighting caused any
such psychological or physiological disturbances as I have sug¬
gested, there should be some evidence of it in school children
and office workers by now, since this type of lighting has been in
wide use since the early 1940s. Apparently, he is not aware of
any such problems as an increase in the rate of hyperactivity,
crime and violence, and the downward trend in the high school
and college student aptitude tests.
The November 1973 issue of Lighting Design and Applica¬
tion, published by the Illuminating Engineering Society, con¬
tained a section on the subject of photobiology.
The first article by Luke Thorington, vice president of en¬
gineering of the Duro-Test Corp., manufacturer of Vita-Lite,
was entitled “Light, Biology, and People.” The subtitle reads,
“It is not possible to provide light only for vision.” In the article
he states, “We are now only beginning to appreciate the extent
to which light continues to influence higher forms of life, includ¬
ing humans.”
The next article was written by Sylvester Guth, manager of
applied research, Large Lamp Department, General Electric
Company, Nela Park, Cleveland, Ohio, and was entitled Some
 TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY / 12/

—
Observations on the Biological Effects of Light” subtitle, “Al¬
though laboratory tests have indicated ill effects on rats and
similar animals, such tests were not conducted in real-life situa¬
tions.”
Dr. Guth states that “Many biologists and others speak glibly
of the desirability of duplicating natural daylight, implying that
—
this is fixed in terms of spectral quality and amount whereas it
actually is variable in many respects.” Dr. Guth also includes a
subheadline: “Pink fluorescent lamps meant fewer fertile eggs,
until it was discovered the rooster was sterile!” The study, in¬
volving the problem of infertile eggs, was reported by the re¬
search staff at the Quaker Oats Research Farm near Chicago, a
project in which I participated.
The third article was by Richard Corth, a fellow engineer in
the Fluorescent and Vapor Lamp Division of Westinghouse
Electric Corp., Bloomfield, N.J., and Roger A. Hoffman, pro¬
fessor of biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, N.Y. The
title of their article was “Does Artificial Light Affect Man’s
Health? Probably Not.” The subtitle reads: “The authors find
no evidence that the spectral power distribution of artificial
illumination is implicated in man’s health. Furthermore, they
find that the influence of light on mammals depends on the
number of quanta absorbed in the retina, rather than on
wavelength or radiant energy of the source. Also, data suggest
a possible detrimental effect of high-intensity light on noctur¬
nal animals.”
Two additional articles dealt only with the effect of artificial
light on commercial plant growth and indicated that the “day
may not be too far off when commercially produced plants will
be grown entirely under combinations of H.I.D. (high inten¬
sity discharge) light sources, independent of natural day¬
light.”
In early 1976, three representatives of General Electric
research and marketing visited me. This was prior to my re-
128 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

tirement as director of the Environmental Health and Light

Research Institute in Sarasota. I showed them the classrooms
where our light studies were done under the control of Dr.
Lewis Mayron et al. They examined the radiation shielding
and full spectrum tubes that were used. We discussed the
results of the study in detail. They took copies of the final
report, all published papers, and the time-lapse pictures of
the children back to G.E. Research Headquarters at Nela
Park. They said they were interested in supporting further
research and would recommend E.H.L.R.I. to the General
Electric Foundation that makes grants for such purposes.
All of us at E.H.L.R.I. were quite encouraged and optimis¬
tic with the prospects of possible funding to support further
studies. At least, we were encouraged until I received a letter
from the editor of The Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology,
enclosing a copy of a paper entitled “Fluorescent Lighting: A
Purported Source of Hyperactive behavior,” submitted by
K. Daniel O’Leary and Alan Rosenbaum of the State Univer¬
sity of New York, Stony Erook, and Philip C. Hughes of
General Electric.
The editor of the Journal also sent me an invitation to
submit a rebuttal, which I greatly appreciated. I asked Dr.
Mayron, who had acted as chief investigator in charge of the
E.H.L.R.I. study, to write the rebuttal, which the editor
then submitted to the Stony Erook-G.E. group for their
further comments. All three papers were then published in
Vol. 6, No. 3, 1978 issue of the Journal. I thought this was an
extremely courteous and fair way for the editor to handle the
matter.
Dr. Mayron pointed out numerous instances in which the
procedures used in the Stony Erook-G.E. study varied
significantly from those of the E.H.L.R.I. study. Possibly of
greatest interest was the fact that the E.H.L.R.I. study in-
 TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY / 129

volved four regular elementary windowless classrooms, two

with the standard type of fluorescent cool-white tubes and
two with the new improved full spectrum, radiation-shielded
fluorescent fixtures. There were forty-eight children in the
two rooms lighted with standard cool-white tubes and fifty
children in the two rooms with the new full spectrum, radia¬
tion-shielded lighting. Time-lapse pictures taken with hidden
cameras at monthly intervals during the full school term pro¬
duced a permanent record of the children’s actions that could
be reexamined as many times as necessary. The significant
results as reported in the E.H.L.R.I. study became evident
in the children under the two different lighting conditions
after sixty to ninety days.
The O’Leary-G.E. study used only seven children in one
classroom with windows and shades pulled down to six inches
from the bottom of the windows, thus allowing considerable
daylight into the room even though it was filtered through the
glass. The O’Leary-G.E. study used different types of fluores¬
cent tubes for both types of full spectrum and standard light¬
ing conditions, plus a different type of radiation shielding of
their own design. The lighting in the one classroom was then
changed each week back and forth for an eight-week period
(56 days) so that the children were not under either type of
light for more than five days (one school week) at a time. Two
observers marked down the children’s activity and the conclu¬
sion was that “no effect of lighting condition and hyperactive
behavior was evident.”
While the O’Leary-G.E. study did not confirm our
E.H.L.R.I. findings, two schools in California and one in
Washington State did carry out their own separate studies
that confirmed a relationship between hyperactivity and
fluorescent lights. Further details of these three separate
studies are as follows:
130 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

RICHARD R. FICKEL, SUPERINTENDENT
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 7, 1975

FLUORESCENT LIGHTS AND HYPERACTIVITY IN CHILDREN:

AN EXPERIMENT

— —
Do fluorescent lights the kind used in almost every classroom in the
country increase the agitated behavior of hyperactive children? An ex¬
periment recently conducted by a Santa Cruz school teacher suggests
that such indeed may be the case.
When Mrs. Burnis Lyons, employed by the Santa Cruz County Office
of Education as a teacher of the handicapped, turned off the fluorescent
lights in her classroom and substituted incandescent lights, the hyperac¬
tive behavior of her pupils decreased by 32.3%.
Mrs. Lyons teaches a class of nine children variously diagnosed as
autistic and emotionally disturbed, many of whom exhibit symptoms of
marked hyperactivity. The special classroom, at Green Acres elementary
—
school, is lit by conventional, bright, cool-white fluorescent lights the
same sort that are generally used in schools, offices and public buildings.
The experimental design was simple: for one week, at the same time
every day, for one hour, a qualified observer sat quietly at the rear of the
room, counting the incidents of hyperkinetic activity that occurred. The
kinds of behavior scored were defined and agreed upon beforehand:
jumping up and walking around inappropriately, standing on chairs,
yelling, inappropriate clapping, hitting teachers, classmates or self, grab¬
bing another’s possessions, or behaving in a disruptive manner that
elicited a reprimand from the teacher.
A total of 297 such incidents were counted during the week.
The following week the fluorescent lighting was turned off and incan¬
—
descent lamps ordinary floor and table lamps borrowed from home
were substituted. Following the advice of a lighting expert from Califor¬
—
nia’s State Department of Education’s School Facilities Planning
Bureau, the new lights were chosen and placed to approximate as closely
as possible the same candlepower and contrast of illumination in work
areas that the fluorescent lights had provided.
Because these disturbed children are often agitated by changes in
 TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY I 131

routine, they were given one week to become accustomed to the new
lights.
Then, during the second week of the incandescent period, the same
observer again counted incidents of hyperactivity in the room, using the
same criteria, for one hour at the same time of day. Every effort was
made to keep the class activities (highly structured as a matter of course
in this kind of classroom) exactly the same during this week as they had
been during the fluorescent charting week.
A total of 201 incidents were counted during the incandescent week
a drop of 32.3% in the hyperkinetic activity exhibited in the classroom.
—
Robert Pepper, the classroom aide who served as observer during the
Lyons study, said he was skeptical from the beginning that changing
lights would affect behavior, but conceded at the end of the week that
there had been a change, especially in one boy.
This extremely hyperactive nine-year-old is usually unable to control
his behavior, often becoming very upset for no apparent reason, and
trying to run out the door. He has never been in school before, since no
other class would accept him, and has spent a good part of his young life
at home watching television. He parrots TV commercials, and rarely
gives appropriate responses. He requires almost constant one-to-one
adult supervision.
But Pepper’s notes show that the youngster calmed down considerably
during the incandescent period. “On the last day,” Pepper reported, “he
sat for six whole minutes alone, and gave good attention to the teacher.
That’s the first time I’ve seen him sit that long without someone beside
him to control him, without his jumping up or running or clapping his
hands or yelling.”
Another fact noted in the course of the experiment, said Mrs. Lyons,
was the invariably positive reaction of other teachers, aides and visitors
upon entering the incandescent-lit room. They described it as “warm . . .
pleasant . . . home-like . . . restful . . . non-institutional.” Nearly all
teachers expressed strong dislike for the conventional fluorescent light¬
ing in their own classrooms.
In her 12-year teaching career Mrs. Lyons has noticed that many
teachers share this aversion to fluorescent light, sometimes using the
simple device of briefly turning off the lights to calm down a restive class.
At Bonny Doon Elementary School, a small multi-graded school in the
Santa Cruz mountains, teachers noticed that two classes transferred to
older rooms with incandescent lights exhibited fewer cases of headaches,
nausea and irritability than they had the previous year while occupying
132 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

newer, fluorescent-lit rooms. Last year the teaching staff requested that
incandescent lighting be installed in the new classrooms now being con¬
structed on the campus. The school board agreed.
(Fluorescent lighting is used almost universally in modern public
buildings because it is cheaper and more efficient, giving much more
light while consuming much less energy than an incandescent system
does. It also generates less heat.)
Mrs. Lyons was motivated to try her experiment after learning of the
work of John Ott, a Florida researcher who believes that standard
fluorescent lights emit certain kinds of radiation that may trigger hy¬
peractivity.
While the Santa Cruz experiment was conducted as carefully as possi¬
ble, Mrs. Lyons stressed that the results could not be considered conclu¬
sive because of the many variables that could not be controlled, and the
short length of time and small number of children involved.
Len Thigpen, psychologist for the county’s special education pro¬
grams, agreed but after examining the data said he saw the Lyons study
as a prelude to a longer, more rigorously controlled research project.
“There’s no question that there was a variable that changed the behav¬
ior of those children,” he said. “I believe it was the lights, but we have to
isolate the variable to be sure. Based on the fact that so many different
people have had similar observations about the effects of lights and
apparently some people are much more sensitive to it than others it
——
seems to me it’s really in the interest of those children to take out some
of those lights and see what happens.”
Thigpen noted in passing that when the fluorescent lights were turned
off in the clinic conference room where weekly staff meetings of county
psychologists and therapists are held, “we seem to have far fewer con¬
flicts, and people are able to sit and discuss things with one another
much better.”
Now that the lamps have been unplugged and returned to the living
rooms from which they were borrowed, and the cool-white fluorescent
lights are switched on again in Mrs. Lyons’ classroom, the level of hy¬
peractivity in the room seems to have returned to its previous high level,
says Mrs. Lyons, though score is no longer being kept. The hyperkinetic
nine-year-old mentioned earlier seems to have resumed his previous
patterns of behavior.
“It’s not as mellow as it was,” observed a teacher’s aide from a neigh¬
boring classroom. “And the kids seem more jumpy and wirey. I liked it
much better before.”
 TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY / 133

For more information on this study, call or write:

Marylyn Painter, Education Writer

Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Educational Media Center
2500 Rosedale Ave.
Soquel, CA. 95076
(408) 425-2306
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
1628 - 23rd - LONGVIEW, WA 98632

September 1, 1976
Dear Dr. Ott:
This spring Judy Thut and I completed a small research project on the
effects of fluorescent lighting vs “natural” window lighting on the behav¬
ior of second-grade students. The enclosed article, published in our local
paper, explains our experiment.
We used a manual for coding discrete behaviors in the school setting
by Joseph Coff and Roberta Ray.
A thorough statistical analysis has been completed on the data. The
data concludes that students spent a statistically significant greater
amount of time in attentive behavior during the time the fluorescent
lights were shut off.
If you wish, we will be happy to give you a more detailed outline of our
project and data analysis.
We are anxious to hear of any progress you have on securing grant
monies which may help finance our project, or if you know of any fund¬
ing agency to whom we might apply for funds.
We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Judith Bartholomew Raiter

The health and healing benefits of ultraviolet are indicated
by the significant improvement being obtained with partially
sighted children at The Overbrook School for the Blind in
134 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Philadelphia. Jerome Werlin, director of The Living Light

Center at the school, reports the excitement of children with
severe sight impairment seeing objects and colors for the first
time, using fluorescing objects under long wavelength black¬
light ultraviolet. Werlin further reports a noticeable calming
effect on hyperactive children from the ultraviolet light that
makes it possible to reduce their medication. Other schools
all over the country are reporting similar beneficial results in
using Werlin’s blacklight ultraviolet equipment.
Again, I stress that if any particular band of wavelengths has
—
a beneficial therapeutic effect and especially those
wavelengths so grossly lacking in the artificial lights that many
—
people live under today it sounds logical to add the normal
proportionate amount found in nature into our artificial light
sources.
In figuring the economics of different types of artificial
lights, the health, work output and efficiency of employees
should also be considered along with lumens per watts used.
Furthermore, what helps partially sighted people see better
should also benefit others with less severe eye problems, and
even lessen eyestrain for those working under fluorescent
lights who have not yet developed any problems.
It is worth noting that old age, no cancer, and good eyesight
are common factors associated with people living at high al¬
titudes where the atmosphere is thinner and consequently
the ultraviolet is stronger.
A story in the Chicago Sunday Sun-Times of January 6,
1980, told of Chicago’s miracle teacher, Marva N. Collins.
Five years earlier, with books salvaged from a garbage bin,
she started teaching unteachable children in two rooms of an
old building on the west side of Chicago. She has worked
wonders in the Westside Preparatory School, as she called it,
and has been given a great deal of coverage by newspapers,
magazines and television.
 TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY / 135

She has been offered the post of Los Angeles County Sup¬
erintendent of Schools, which she refused, and was recom¬
mended by many for the position of Secretary of Education in
President Reagan’s Cabinet. She has given educational work¬
—
shops across the country from grade schools in Sante Fe,
New Mexico, to the halls of Princeton University.
All this notoriety stems from her outstanding success in
stimulating the interest to learn in dropouts and children with
severe learning disabilities.
According to the Sun-Times, "The students of Westside
Prep, aged 4 through 13, leave the national norms far behind
in reading, writing and arithmetic. They know their Sopho¬
cles, Cicero, Shakespeare, Longfellow and Tolstoy. They
memorize poetry and snatches of Latin for fun. The Pythago¬
rean Theorem? A piece of cake. They’ll tell you all about
Pythagoras, too.
“They love it so much that they refuse recess and wish
holiday vacations would never arrive.
“And Westside Prep’s graduates, previously headed for the
unemployment line or worse, now go to ivy-covered places
like Phillips at Andover and the Hotchkiss School.”
Of particular interest to me is that the original two rooms
occupied by the Westside Preparatory School had old-
fashioned large windows and no fluorescent lights. The school
has since moved into larger quarters, another older building
where some of the rooms have windows but some inner rooms
do not. All the rooms do have fluorescent lights, but not of the
high intensity kind used in more modern school buildings.
The fluorescent lights in the rooms with windows are used
only when necessary, and not left on all day.
In a recent visit to the school, the matter of lighting was
brought up for discussion, and the teacher who showed the
interviewer around the school did mention that he had
noticed the children in the rooms with the windows definitely
136 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

seemed to be calmer and did better in their school work.

Another article on school lighting worth noting appeared in
the July 28, 1977 Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. The school board
voted unanimously to remove the controversial, high-
pressure, sodium vapor lights from approximately a dozen
schools where they had been installed to conserve electricity.
This was the result of a previous, very comprehensive report
prepared by the school district listing the many complaints by
both teachers and students of such problems as headaches,
eyestrain, nervous tension, and nausea.
A similar story appeared in The New York Times of August
5, 1979. The sodium vapor lights were removed from the
Norton Elementary School in Cheshire, Connecticut, for the
same reasons.
The clear-cut line of demarcation in the results obtained in
some industry research or industry sponsored research and
that done by independent researchers at top ranking universi¬
ties is of great concern to me. However, the pressures of
vested interests are very great. This became very obvious to
me from the number of times I was asked to make time-lapse
pictures that would show results ranging from what was fre¬
quently described as just “gilding the lily a little” to pictures
that would be unquestionably fraudulent.
However, such problems are not mine alone but seem to
tie into similar criticisms of some research sponsored by
vested interests that have appeared in the press from time to
time, including the chemical, pharmaceutical, sugar, asbestos
and other industries. For example, I quote the headline from
the front page of the Wall Street Journal, February 21, 1978:
—
“Safety Problem A Lab’s Troubles Raise Doubts About
—
Quality of Drug Tests in U.S. I B T Flunks Federal Exam,
Loses Clients, and Causes a Furor in the Industry Were —
There Deliberate Slips?” Also, I quote a headline from Los
Angeles Times /Washington Post News Service, March 10,
 TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY / 137

1978: “U.S. Probers Say Testing Lab Falsified Data on Car¬

—
cinogens.” And so it goes a disgrace to all that is good and
honest in the vast majority of research studies being carried
on in our country today.
Of further interest are two reports, both appearing in the
press during April 1981, only a few days apart. One was is¬
sued by the Food and Drug Administration and stated that
“Video Display Terminals Pass U.S. Test” and pose no health
hazards to their operators. The other was issued by the Na¬
tional Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
and stated that, at the request of a coalition of labor unions,
five work sites were examined, including newspaper offices
and the clerical departments of Blue Shield in San Francisco.
Eighty to ninety percent of the clerical VDT operators experi¬
enced eyestrain or muscle strain. High levels of anxiety, de¬
pression and fatigue were reported by VDT users at all of the
work sites.
The NIOSH research team found that “VDT operators in
strictly clerical type operations showed higher stress ratings
than any group of workers NIOSH has ever studied including
air traffic controllers.”
The difference in findings appears to be the result of the
FDA’s study testing a number of video display terminals and
finding no level of radiation in excess of present government
safety standards, whereas the NIOSH study was the result of
interviewing and examining the operators who spent many
hours in close proximity to the machines.
Neither report mentioned anything about the video display
terminals tested being new or old, but usually those tested for
meeting radiation safety levels are new ones furnished by the
manufacturer especially for that purpose. Quite naturally, the
manufacturer would check them out thoroughly first. Obvi¬
ously, the operators questioned at the five work sites men¬
tioned were using VDT’s that had been in use for some time.
 138 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Such procedural differences in testing for radiation from TV

sets may explain other contradictory reports of the past. The
TV set in front of which I placed the young laboratory rats
with half of the picture tube shielded with lead and the other
half with black paper was identified later as an old TV set. As I
mentioned in Health and Light, the young rats in front of the
half covered with black paper that would not stop X-rays first
became irritable, aggressive, and constantly fighting one
another and then so lethargic you would have to poke them to
make them move. The young rats in front of the other half of
the picture tube covered with the lead that would stop X-rays
remained perfectly calm and docile.
When bean seeds and other plants show distorted growth
under unshielded fluorescent lights; when young rats first
become irritable, aggressive, fighting one another all the
time, and then lethargic in front of an unshielded TV set;
when hyperactive school children with learning disabilities
calm down and learn to read when full-spectrum radiation-
shielded lights are installed; and when VDT operators com¬
plain of eyestrain, headaches, backaches, and nausea, I feel
that my suggestions of looking into this matter of shielding
such electronic devices may have some merit.
More recently, the expressions “burned out” and “psychic
fatigue” have been applied to office managers and workers
who have lost their “oomph.” In my next book, I would like to
go further into the subjects of radiation and the use of am¬
phetamine medication for hyperactive children, tranquilizers,
marijuana, harder drugs, crime and violence. Also, interna¬
tional terrorism may now be added to the list.
The story originally mentioned in My Ivortj Cellar (1958)
and repeated again in Health and Light (1973) about the late
Joseph E. Ragen, former warden of Stateville Penitentiary in
Illinois, who was able to rehabilitate and obtain parole status
for some of the men with the most severe psychiatric criminal

1
 TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY / 139

records through horticultural therapy, seems to fit in here.

Ragen said that other forms of physical therapy, including
painting and sculpture done indoors, did not have the same
beneficial effect. This seems to be another example of light
(sunlight) being the missing link.
On January 28, 1981, I was asked to give a seminar on the
effects of low-level radiation on human health and behavior at
the Bureau of Radiological Health, a division of the Food and
Drug Administration in Rockville, Maryland. My feeling was
that the response was exceptionally good.
Following my seminar, the doctor in charge of the meeting
spent a half hour with me, holding his arm out as I tested his
muscle strength. Down it went under their fluorescent lights
with special ultraviolet shielding. However, under the full¬
spectrum fluorescent fixtures with added ultraviolet, but
shielded for X-rays and radio frequency, he had full muscle
strength. He shook his head in disbelief, but said the test
certainly seemed to work. He and many of the other scientists
stayed on, testing the lightning rod, pyramid, lead pencil,
pink card, and all the other unbelievable and impossible
things that have an effect on muscle strength.
On March 2, 1981, I received a written contract from the
Food and Drug Administration “to provide professional and
scientific assessment of low level radiation effects on human
health and behavior and to provide professional and scientific
advice on experiments on animals investigating light and
other radiation effects on the neuroendocrine systems.”
11 THE PINK ROOM

During July 1978 I gave a lecture at the offices of the Wash¬

ington State Criminal Justice Training Commission in Olympia,
the state capital. There were a number of law enforcement and
correctional training officers present, and I met Alexander G.
Schauss, one of the correctional training officers. Alex had be¬
come interested in the effect of nutrition on criminal behavior,
aggression, and violence, and had written a number of papers on
the subject. He has since published a fascinating book entitled
Diet, Crime and Delinquency. In it he cites figures on the
appalling rate of increasing crime and violence and what it is
costing our society. He also gives many interesting case histories
of criminal offenders who were rehabilitated and could be re¬
turned to society when imbalances in their body chemistry were
corrected.
Alex points out that the brain is the most chemically sensitive
organ of the body and stresses the need for more emphasis on
diet and nutrition than the present psychological and psychiatric
approach to treatment of delinquents. It did not take long for
both of us to realize the importance of the interaction of light
and nutrition on both human health and behavior.
 THE PINK ROOM / 141

Meanwhile, I had already retired in 1977 as chairman and

executive director of the Environmental Health and Light Re¬
search Institute, which I had originally incorporated in Illinois
in 1962 as the Time-Lapse Research Foundation. This was done
to separate the research work from other time-lapse projects and
set it up on a tax-exempt basis so that supporting grants could be
applied for. The move to Sarasota, Florida, was made in 1968, at
which time the name was changed to E.H.L.R.I.
During all this time I had made numerous efforts to establish
some sort of official relationship with a recognized university
— —
one with a medical school, if possible to supervise and carry on
the research in studying the biological effects of light on plants
and animals. Several well-known universities did show serious
—
interest in such an arrangement that is, as far as studying the
effect of light on plants, but definitely not on animals. Why not
animals? I asked. The answer was always that everybody knew
that light had no real biological effect on animals, and it would
be embarrassing and could even hurt their scientific standing if
word got around that such studies were being permitted at the
university.
To make a long story as short as possible, I was delighted
when the Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo, Depart¬
ment of Health, State of New York, offered the necessary space
and invited E.H.L.R.I. to become affiliated with that very pres¬
tigious cancer research center. The director of Roswell Park
Memorial Institute, the business manager, and the head of the
medical school agreed to serve on the board of trustees of E.H.
L.R.I., and the name was changed at that time to The Center
for Light Research. Everything was moved to Buffalo.
It sounded too good to be true, and it was. Shortly thereafter,
I received a letter simply stating that the Roswell Park Memo¬
rial Institute Administration had concluded that they were not
in a position to honor their previous commitment and that was
the end of what I had thought looked so promising for the future
of The Center for Light Research.
142 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

In the course of events, Dr. Cora Saltarelli, who had taken

my place as director of the Center for Light Research, advised
me that her husband, who was head of a large corporation in
Buffalo, had decided to move his corporate headquarters to
Florida. The final outcome was that Dr. Saltarelli also moved
the Light Center to Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, and set
it up in the science building.
No sooner were things beginning to get under way again than
Nova University decided to shut down the science building and
turn it over to a special government project. This was just at the
time when I happened to meet Alex Schauss. The result: the
Center for Light Research moved again, this time to Tacoma,
Washington. It became affiliated with City College in Seattle,
and Alex Schauss became its new director.
Now, going back to the seminar I gave to the Washington
State Criminal Justice Training Commission, I demonstrated
how looking at a pink sheet of paper held in front of the eyes
weakened the entire muscle strength of the person. This appar¬
ently made quite an impression, for I soon received a report
from Alex Schauss, from which I quote in part as follows:
As a result of this provocative [pink card] demonstration, two officers at
the U.S. Naval Correctional Center, Naval Support Activity, Seattle,
Washington, Chief Warrant Officer Baker and Commander Miller, pro¬
ceeded to order that a holding cell at the center be painted pink. On March
i, 1979, an entire holding cell, except for the gray floor matting, was so
painted.
The holding cell was selected to be painted because experienced correc¬
tional officers know that a new inmate is most prone toward violence at
initial intake. It is at this time that the detainee is likely to be depressed or
agitated. For this reason, the chief warrant officer and commander ordered
that all new detainees be held in the pink holding cell for 10 to 15 minutes
to allow time for processing of the new detainee’s papers.
The results have been impressive. After 156 days of continuous use, the
U.S. Naval Correctional Center, Naval Support Activity Correctional Cen¬
ter, Seattle, Washington, reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Law
 THE PINK ROOM / M3

Enforcement and Corrections Division, Washington, D.C., that “since in¬

itiation of this procedure there have been no incidents of erratic or hostile
behavior during the initial phase of confinement. Before painting the hold¬
ing cell pink, duty intake officers remarked that hostile behavior by inmates
was ‘a whale of a problem.’”
Similar results have now been confirmed by the commander of the Santa
Clara County Jail, San Josd, California. This county has not only painted a
holding tank pink, but also the “fish tank.” The fish tank holds approxi¬
mately 15 men at a time until cell assignments can be made. Since changing
the large cell’s color from green to pink, staff have observed the detainees to
be in a "humorous and restfol mood.” Since these pilot facilities began using
their pink rooms, other facilities using pink have reported similar results.
What is most important about the use of pink color in reducing aggres¬
sion and causing muscular relaxation is its humaneness. The phenomenon
seems to affect the primitive centers of the brain. In repeated experiments
with subjects of varying ages, I have observed the muscular relaxation
phenomenon to occur, on the average, in 2.7 seconds. This nondrug anes¬
thetic effect has yet to be explained. However, this technique is noninva-
sive, nontraumatic and has demonstrated no toxic or adversive affect. It
cannot be controlled by conscious or unconscious effort. This has been
proven, to my satisfaction, by doing this experiment with trained yogis and
accomplished athletes of the martial arts. I would suggest its usefulness in
any situation where sudden or uncontrollable aggressive behavior is likely.

The story about both the U.S. Navy and the Santa Clara jail
using the color pink to calm violence and aggression was intrigu¬
ing, to say the least. The news media soon picked it up and gave
it wide coverage in the press, news weeklies, radio, and TV.
There are now many studies under way, and it is being tested in
several schools for problem children and psychiatric hospitals.
When I first learned about the weakening effect on the mus¬
cles of looking at the color pink, I could not reconcile this with
the results of our previous experiments with laboratory animals,
which became more aggressive and even cannibalistic when
kept under pink light. However, this was accidentally explained
one day when a new inmate being processed was inadvertently
left in the pink cell for almost four hours and virtually went
144 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

berserk. If being left for four hours in a pink room has this effect,
what may be the effect of four or more hours of exposure to pink
(or orange) sodium vapor, or so-called crime prevention, lights?
Like other forms of stimulants, a little can have one effect,
while a larger dose or exposure will produce an opposite effect
for example, having one martini as compared to having ten or
—
more. It never occurred to me to put a mouse under pink light
for fifteen minutes; our experiments ran for six months or more.
It seems quite evident that a child’s room, or any room,
should not be decorated all in pink. A little pink here and there
along with other colors is probably all right, but pending the
outcome of further studies, I would prefer using pastel shades of
blue, green, and gray for walls and floor coverings, with small
accents of yellow, orange, and red.
It has long been recognized that color has a psychological
effect on people. This has always been difficult for me to fully
understand. However, if you think of color as a specific
wavelength or frequency of radiant energy and then recognize
its direct interaction with the chemicals in the blood, and also its
effect through the eyes on the endocrine system, I believe it is a
little easier to understand how light can affect all the organs of
the body in a physiological way. The physiological function of
the muscles can be demonstrated with the muscle strength test,
and the physiological function of the brain is evidenced by a
person’s mood, thinking ability, alertness and like responses of a
psychological nature.
When using a pink card, or any other color, you must make
sure that it is large enough and close enough to the eyes to cover
the full field of vision. If other colors in the background can be
seen around the edges, they will counteract the effect of the
pink card or any other colored card that is being tested. This is
in accordance with the theory of multifrequency interaction.
However, frequencies from other than colored objects in the
background will also influence the “overall mass,” as previously
 THE PINK ROOM / 145

shown with items like digital wrist watches and ionizing-type

smoke detectors.
Interestingly enough, just looking at a pink card will weaken
all the muscles. The effect from the pink frequencies is appar¬
ently mediated through the eyes because, if they are closed, the
full muscle strength quickly returns to normal within a second
or two. This slightly delayed reaction, I believe, indicates that
the response to the pink color or frequency is through the ret¬
inal-hypothalamic-endocrine system and not the visual pathway
to the brain. If it were visual, I think the response would be
more instantaneous. Another factor supporting this hypothesis is
that people who are color-blind also lose their muscle strength
when they look at a pink card.
It seems, though, that for every frequency that causes a mus¬
cle weakness response, there is also a counteracting frequency
or frequencies. If a person looks at a pink card under a mercury
vapor light, such as those commonly used in squash courts,
there is no loss of muscle strength.
If a person looks at a pink card while someone else sounds
High C on a mouth organ type of pitch tuner, this particular
x
note will counter the pink color and restore the muscle strength
to normal. High C will also weaken the muscle strength when a
person looks at a blue card. However, sounding Middle C, an
octave lower, has no effect.
It is interesting to speculate on how sound waves counteract
light waves, and what the mechanism is in the human body that
responds to both. We naturally think of the eyes responding to
light and the ears to sound. But, then, remember the effect on
the electrical dimension of changes in temperature, electromag¬
netic radiation, including light waves, changes in pressure, and
sound waves on electret cells that must be located somewhere,
possibly in one of the layers ofthe skin. There is certainly a great
need to learn more about the electric dimension of both living
cells and also nonliving matter.
146 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

As this book goes to press, I am happy to be able to an¬

nounce that a plan has been approved for reestablishing the
Center For Light Research as the Institute for Psycho-
Biological Studies of Color and Light. The Institute will be an
integral part of the San Jose State University, San Jose,
California 95192. Professor Robert J. Pellegrini will serve as
Director, Professor Robert A. Hicks as Assistant Director,
and I will have the honor of being Senior Research Associate,
semiretired.
 WHAT THE AVERAGE PERSON
12 CAN DO

The previous eleven chapters are admittedly rather disturb¬

ing. One wonders if there is anything left these days that is not
hazardous to one’s health. I personally believe the situation is
serious but not hopeless if quick action is taken to reverse the
trend. It has come about through ignorance and lack of responsi¬
bility on the part of industry, government, and the public in
letting the matter get so far out of hand by doing nothing to stop
it. Those few scientists who tried to give warnings were hope¬
lessly outnumbered, ridiculed, and fired unless they quit their
jobs first, as did three in one case involving a major corporation.
When the first few gas buggies appeared on the streets, the
possibility that they could increase in numbers to the point at
which they would be a major factor contributing to air pollution
was incredible. When industry was small, everyone continued
to throw his waste materials out in the back lot, as individual
craftsmen had done since the beginning of time. There wasn’t
enough to cause any problem. There were no laws against it,
and precedents were established.
148 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

As small companies grew larger, they simply had larger back

—
lots to accommodate more waste material unless there was a
river or a lake or a convenient ocean to dump it in. As small
corporations grew larger, they became more powerful, and it
became harder and harder to stop the practice. It grew like
—
Topsy and all of a sudden everyone realizes that a real problem
exists today.
I can remember building a crystal set years ago, and being
intrigued with listening to the newly invented radio. It never
dawned on me at the time that this small beginning could grow
so quickly into the present electronic industry of today, but it
did. No one at that time thought about harmful radiation from a
crystal set, nor from the first small radio sets. The public just
accepted them without question.
Medical science had no background experience or equipment
to measure and deal with trace amounts of toxic materials
—
especially radiation to determine what would be a safe level.
—
Why bother about trace amounts of radiation when light and
radiation were generally thought to have no biological effects of
any consequence on animals, including human beings?
However, some farsighted companies were beginning to look
ahead into the future. They were raising the question as to the
possibilities that light might, after all, affect animals, and were
trying to evaluate the implications that this would have. In 1958
I had the honor and privilege of being asked to serve as a
consultant in the general field of biological effects of light on
animal life, and I made numerous trips to General Electric’s
large lamp research headquarters at Nela Park in Cleveland,
Ohio. In May i960 the company sponsored a three-day seminar
on the implications of the life sciences to General Electric.
There were many very scientific papers presented by eminent
scientists, many of whom were also serving as consultants. I had
the privilege of being the after-dinner speaker at the main eve¬
ning function. The president and a number of top executives of
 WHAT TO DO / 149

General Electric were present. A committee of their top medi¬

cal advisors was also present. Following the dinner, I gave my
presentation, which included time-lapse pictures of the pump¬
kins and also some of the earlier experiments with laboratory
animals. When I was finished, the head of the medical advisory
group was asked what he thought about what I had presented.
The response was very clear that he thought it was the silliest,
most unscientific presentation he had ever witnessed. He
pointed out that I was recommending full-spectrum lighting
with added ultraviolet, which was known to be harmful. He
recommended that G.E. should reexamine all their existing
light bulb sources, and that if any ultraviolet was found in any of
their lamps, a way should be found to filter it out, completely.
Who was the president of G.E. to believe? Whom would you
believe under the circumstances? A retired banker with a hobby
of taking pictures of flowers in his basement? Or a committee
composed of prominent medical scientists from some of the
leading medical schools in the country?
Needless to say, my consulting contract with General Electric
was not renewed, and I personally believe that this was the
turning point in the industry toward the development of more
efficient light sources, such as the sodium vapor lights we now
have. They give off more lumens per watt of electricity con¬
sumed, which is a very important consideration, especially dur¬
ing today’s energy crisis. However, they are also the most dis¬
torted light source, as the light energy given off is highly
concentrated in either the pink or orange part of the spectrum.
They were originally called crime lights, because they were
going to eliminate crime in big cities.
From my own banking background, I am well aware of the
problems involved in making any major change in such a pro¬
gram as the entire industry is now embarked on with the new
sodium vapor lights. However, I am personally convinced more
than ever that these lights are a major contributing factor to the
150 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

increasing problem of crime, violence, and juvenile delin¬

quency. There is no question but that it presents a very difficult
and also very serious problem.
At this point, I might also interject my past hard-line banking
experience into the interdisciplinary communications of re¬
search that I have previously recommended. It seems to me that
too much emphasis has been placed on medical care and treat¬
ment and not enough on finding the cause and ways of prevent¬
ing disease. This is particularly true in cancer research. The cost
of medical care has skyrocketed as new, vastly more expensive
equipment has been developed, requiring more technicians,
more specialists, more opinions, and longer in-hospital time
—
and still the per-capita death rate from cancer continues to rise
at an alarming rate.
One cannot deny that medical care today, together with all of
its related industries, is big business. Preventive medicine isn’t,
for the simple reason that there’s much less profit to be made. If
the businessmen can’t put a price tag on a health care item, then
they’re just not interested, and sunlight falls into the general
category of those best things in life that are free. Conventional
medical care understandably enjoys the sympathy and backing
of the general public, since no one wants to deny a loved one the
best medical care available at a time of need. But today, catas¬
trophic medical expenses that are continuing to increase every
year, along with inflation, are more than the average middle
class family can afford, and completely out of reach of low-
income groups. It is a temptation to expect government to step
in and assume the financial burden through additional medical
care programs. Social Security taxes have been drastically in¬
creased, but even before the new higher rate could be put into
effect, it became evident that the anticipated additional income
was not enough to balance the nmaway rising expenses. Here is
where more thought and funding should be given to that “ounce
of prevention.”
 WHAT TO DO / 151

Several years later I happened to meet one of my former

coconsultants who was still consulting. He pointed out to me
several reasons why my presentation at the Life Sciences meet¬
ing met such stiff criticism. He made it very clear that my
suggestions were not “sufficiently oriented to the company’s
existing products and management policies. I had presented
too much irrelevant material, such as the relationship of light to
hay fever and arthritis, and chilling to the common cold (My
Ivory Cellar, Chapters 4, 5, 12).
Much of our knowledge today has been gained through hind¬
sight. The cumulative effects of trace amounts of various types of
pollution, including radiation, were not recognized, nor were
delayed responses like the present increase in leukemia and
other forms of cancer turning up in the armed forces personnel
exposed to atom bomb tests done 25 years ago. Although some
attempts appear to have been made to conceal the facts, never¬
theless, much of the problem is now being recognized, which is
very encouraging, as this is necessary before anything can or will
be done about it. The government is currently talking about
spending billions of dollars to clean up some of the chemical
dumps and a lot more will be spent before the job is finished.
The federal government did stop the practice of dumping
radioactive atomic waste in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
in 1972, but now the barrels it is being accumulated in are
beginning to leak. The people down East want to ship them all
out West, but the people out West don’t seem to want them out
there either.
It will mean changing the design of many products and re¬
placing many that are already in general use in the hands of the
public. We did not get into this mess overnight, and it is going
to take a long time to clean it up completely. Obsolescence of
existing equipment will help, but it is now time to bring the
entire story out into the open so that the public will be made
aware of the situation.

rT
152 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Now, I will give some of the encouraging side of the story,

and try to point out what the average person can do about it.

Windows, Sliding Doors and Skylights

There are at least two commercial brands of ultraviolet

transmitting plastic available. One is UVT Acrylite, manufac¬
tured by the American Cyanamid Company; the other is UVT
Plexiglas, manufactured by the Rohm and Haas Company. Both
companies also make the ultraviolet absorbing (UVA) that does
not transmit the ultraviolet, so it is important to be sure to get
the UVT. The plastic comes with a protective paper covering
that should show exactly which type it is. Since it also comes in
different thicknesses, it is advisable to use as thin a piece as
possible for two good reasons. First, the thinner it is, the more
ultraviolet will penetrate through it; and the thicker it is, the
—
more it costs and, unfortunately, plastic does cost considerably
more than glass.
Your plastic dealer can give you the recommended thick¬
nesses for different-sized panes and, also, depending on
whether they are vertical windows or horizontal skylights. As a
rough rule of thumb, I have found ‘/s" thickness satisfactory for
sizes up to approximately 10" X 14", Yi" for sizes around 3' x 4',
and Yb" for 4' x 8'. However, plastic has a tendency to bend or
bow a little if there are extreme differences in temperature on
either side; and, accordingly, if there is a very narrow distance
between sliding doors, there is a possibility of scraping and
scratching. In such cases, W' or %" thickness is recommended,
as the thicker plastic is more rigid.
Plastic possesses much better insulating qualities than glass,
and when we put Ys" thickness plastic in our windows in the
Chicago area we found storm windows were not necessary.
Humidity inside could be maintained as high as 25 percent
 WHAT TO DO / 153

during subzero weather without the windows frosting up.

In washing plastic, I recommend using a sponge and chamois
with soap and water, as plastic scratches more easily than glass.
Do not use chemical cleaners or squeegees with a rubber edge,
which might scratch the plastic if there is any remaining sand or
grit left on the surface.
If you want to find ultraviolet transmitting plastic, look in the
Yellow Pages under “Plastic.”

Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses

/ Ultraviolet-transmitting spectacle lenses are manufactured by

' Armorlite, Inc. as “Full Spectrum” lenses, and by Eye Kraft
Optical, Inc. as “Sun/Lite” lenses. These are available in clear
or neutral gray for sunglasses if necessary. Bausch and Lomb
J “Softens” contact lenses are also ultraviolet-transmitting. Ask for
them wherever you get your glasses. (Not recommended for
anyone who has had surgery for cataracts without specific ap¬
proval of an ophthalmologist.)

Fluorescent Lights
All fluorescent tubes give off radiation that should be
shielded, so it is necessary to use lighting fixtures that provide
the necessary shielding. Full Spectrum Radiation Shielded
Fluorescent Fixtures are currently being manufactured by Envi¬
ronmental Light and Heat Foundation in Tampa, Florida (address
in appendix). These fixtures also provide a separate socket
for the black light ultraviolet fluorescent tube, so that it may be
replaced as needed. This is necessary because the phosphor that
gives off the ultraviolet wavelengths has a burning life of only
7,000 to 9,000 hours, whereas the visible phosphors will last up
154 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

to around 36,000 hours. Therefore, when the black light phos¬

phor is mixed with the visible phosphors in the same tube, the
benefits from the ultraviolet are gone long before the tube
finally bums out, and you cannot tell the difference by just
looking at them. One manufacturer of a full-spectrum fluores¬
cent tube advertises putting in more of the black light phosphor
to overcome this problem,\but it seems to me this would merely
provide too much to begin 'with. When the phosphor burns out,
the benefit is gone, no matter how much there is to start with.

Colors for Interior Decorating,

The wavelengths of light reflected from a colored surface are

affected in the same way as wavelengths passing through a col¬
ored filter. The only difference is that the colored filter transmits
certain wavelengths and blocks or stops others. The colored
surface reflects certain wavelengths and absorbs the other. The
end results are the same as far as the wavelengths that reach the
eye or surface of the skin are concerned.
Therefore, in keeping with the full-spectrum theory, a room
should not be all one color, and preferably not even all the walls
—
one strong color especially not pink or orange. White is the
exception, as white reflects all the colors or wavelengths. How¬
ever, some white surfaces reflect more ultraviolet than others.
This is a matter to which I hope manufacturers of both paint and
paper (for wallpaper and books) will give serious consideration.
My recommendation of colors for ceilings and walls is white
or ligh t pastel shades of blue, green, gray, or beige. Accent this
with other colors, even small spots of pink and orange, in the
curtains, furniture and floor coverings. Make it as much as possi¬
ble like the natural colors outdoors. Remember, the brilliant
pinks and oranges of sunsets last only about fifteen minutes,
which has been determined as the maximum time a person can

\
 WHAT TO DO / 155

be left in the pink cell of correctional centers and prisons before

the beneficial short-term effects begin to give way to the long¬
term effects of increased depression, aggression and violence.

Television Sets and Video Display Terminals

When the first large-size picture tubes came on the market,

the tubes had to be so long that the sets stuck way out into the
room. This was very objectionable, especially in small apart¬
ments. To overcome this objection, the tubes were placed verti¬
cally, pointing upward, with a mirror set at an angle that the
viewer looked at to see the picture. It worked satisfactorily. As
improvements in the design of the tubes were made, manufac¬
turers were able to shorten tlie tubes and still get the larger size
picture. As a result, the tubes were put back again in the hori¬
zontal position.
Placing the tubes in the vertical position was done only to
overcome the problem of length of the tubes, without realizing
the additional advantage that was provided in shielding the radi¬
ation coming from the front of the tube. A mirror will act as a
beam-splitting device, reflecting the visible fight rays out to¬
ward the person viewing the picture and letting ionizing radia¬
tion penetrate straight on through the mirror.
In the manufacture of TV tubes, lead is put into the glass to
cut down on the amount of radiation, but if enough lead were
put into the glass to stop the radiation completely, you would
not be able to see any picture either. With the mirror, all the
lead you need can be placed behind it to stop the radiation from
going up to the floor above, if there is one.
There is no real problem in shielding the sides of the tube or
the set itself, and all the talk about no radiation from the new
solid-state sets applies only to the rest of the set. There is no way
yet to make a solid-state picture tube, and a picture tube is what
 156 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

the viewer must still sit in front of and look directly into. Re¬
member, a TV picture tube or video terminal display tube is a
cathode ray tube and works on the same principle as an X-ray
tube.
Several companies are now beginning to think about my sug¬
gestion for using the basic mirror system, but such sets are not
yet available as this book goes to press. Let’s hope they may be
in the not-too-distant future. Until then, I think the Ott family
will continue to listen to the radio, even though some of the
grandchildren seem to view the situation as a sign of being
underprivileged.

Exploring the Spectrum

A 46-minute color-and-sound film with time-lapse sequences

showing the biological effects of light and low-level radiation on
plants and laboratory animals, is available from International
Film Bureau, 332 South Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60604
(phone: 312-427-4545). The film also includes time-lapse pic¬
tures of hyperactive school children calming down under the
new full-spectrum, radiation-shielded fluorescent lighting.

'
Suggestions for Outdoor Living

So many people, both doctors and patients, have written to

me asking for the instructions for “Outdoor Living” given to
the fifteen patients by Dr. Wright at Bellevue Medical Center
in New York City that I am repeating them here, along with
updated information to include such recent new items as
smoke detectors, digital watches, synthetic materials, etc.,
that must also be considered. These instructions should in no
way be taken as medical advice. They are offered only as
 WHAT TO DO / 157

helpful suggestions to be referred to one’s physician for

consideration as part of an overall program of medical
treatment.
In order to obtain the maximum benefits from living outdoors
under natural conditions, ajninimum of six, hours a day of natu^
ral daylight is suggested. For people living in large cities, this
may be rather difficult, but it is hoped the following suggestions
may be helpful. These suggestions are made in connection with
the theory of photocrinology, the effect of light received through
the eyes on the glandular_system. in~addition to the known
"Benefits of sunlight received through the_skim
In addition to being outdoors as much as possible, brilliant
artificial fight or sitting indoors or in an automobile looking
through the ordinary window or windshield glass should be
avoided. Virtually all glass in ordinary use today filters out the
ultraidoletwayelengths.^Lsunlight energy, so the .wearing of
ordinary glasses and particularlydark glasses should be avoided,
..
Ultraviolet transmitting spectacles and windows that let natural
daylight come indoors are now available. Actually, if a person
could go to the country and live in a cottage with a large
screened porch, this would be ideal. Sleeping on a screened
porch is also recommended.
As the glandular system may be more sensitive to light im-
mediately following the night sleep period, both artificial light
sources or sunlight filtered through glass should be particularly
avoided, even for brief periods of a few moments’ duration for
the first hour or two after awakening in the morning, or follow¬
ing any rest period during the daytime. For this same reason, a
dim blue night light such as a Christmas tree ornament light
should be used so as not to interrupt the night period with
ordinary electric lights which seem particularly bright when the
eyes are accustomed to total darkness. If it is necessary to re¬
main indoors, ordinary glass windows should be kept open as
much as possible, and the curtain drawn across any portion of
 158 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

the glass that will not open. If a person is being driven in an

automobile, it is best to look out through the open side window
rather than through the windshield ahead. Constant interrup-
_tion_of the natural sunlight by either artificial light or sunlight
filtered through glass even for brief periods can offset the
benefits received and should be conscientiously avoided. In
other words, the greatest benefits can be derived from virtually
living under-natural light conditions outdoors or, next best, frill-
spectrum light indoors.
It is not necessary to be in the full direct sunlight, and of
^course all precautions should be taken not to strain the eyes or
become severely sunburned. The object is merely to let the
natural light into the eyes rathepthan artificial light or the sun-
fightjiitered through glassVA person may sit on a screened
porch or under a shadetrpe^f you are not accustomed to being
outdoors in the brighMight, or have always worn sunglasses, it
may seem difficult at first to become adjusted to frill sunlight
conditions.
Sunbathing under natural sunlight is recommended, but no
dark glasses and particularly no artificial sun lamp sources. Sun¬
tan lotions are questionable and not recommended. Sunlight is
beneficial to the skin and synthesizes vitamin D. It is natural for
"people on short vacations to want to be out on the bbach or in
the sun as much as possible. Suntan lotions do effectively filter
the different wavelengths, especially the ultraviolet. They also
create a distorted spectrum. What the effects of an unnatural tan
might be are not known, but are questionable.
If you have not been out in the sunlight for some time and
your skin and eyes liave lost their natural resistance to_it, then
y/ be extra careful not tq get excessive sunburn. Avoid the hottest
^midday hours froimyuQp A.M. to ^./standard time, not
daylight saving). Limit your exposure toCfifteen minute) each
side the first,day and, if. you have jio excessive redness or ill
effects, thenQhirty minutes the second day) Build the time up
-
WHAT TO DO / 159

gradually each successive day. “Common sense” is the key

phrase. Remember, you do not feel the harmfi.il effects of sun-
"bum until several hours after exposure^
Watching television is definitely not recommended. Listen to
the radio instead. Red-hot oven heating elements, stove bum- _
ers, and infrared heat lamps should be avoided. Microwave
communication systems are a health hazard threat of such mag-
zhitude that for the full story I recommend reading the book,
Zapping America, by Paul Brodeur.
Outdoor sports are highly recommended during the day¬
time, but not under artificial light at night. Relief from exces¬
sively bright light may be obtained by using a regular sun ।
visor in lieu of dark glasses. The underside of the visor should \
be dull black or dark gray, but definitely not any translucent (
material such as dark green plastic, which will transmit
filtered light into the eyes.
To carry this plan out to the fullest, the person should live .
by day and sleep at night; in other words, go to bed at sunset
and awaken at sunrise. Stay outdoors as much as possible or
on an open porch, even during cloudy or rainy weather. This
includes mealtimes also. Eat on an open porch or at the back
yard barbecue table. Picnics outdoors are fine if they do not
necessitate looking through the automobile windshield en
route for long distances.
Light alone is not everything, but it is a very important
factor to be considered. It is also important to eat sensible,
well-balanced meals and avoid the use of tobacco or the com-
sumption of liquor.
It is hoped the above suggestions will prove helpful in ob¬
taining the maximum benefit from sunlight energy, but it is
also of the utmost importance that anyone following the above
suggestions should also maintain very close contact with his or
her doctor.
Do not use tinted lenses or sunglasses of any color except

T
 \
160 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

full-spectrum neutral gray, and then only when absolutely

necessary. Most plastic will not transmit ultraviolet, and full-.,
spectrum ultraviolet transmitting plastic must be very
definitely specified and Insisted on when ordering eyeglasses
or contact lenses. Ultraviolet transmitting plastic is also avail-
able for windows and doors.. UVT “Plexiglas” and UVT 2Acry-
lite" are the_tw.o most available brands. Check the yellow
,

pages in the phone book for nearest dealer. Some dealers may
—
hot be aware of the two different types of plastic that which
/ blocks the transmission of ultraviolet, and that which
transmits the ultraviolet. On the other hand, many people
have the erroneous—belie£_thaL_all— plastic is ultraviolet
transmitting, which is not true. Most plastic dealers at the
present time carry only the type of plastic that does not
transmit ultraviolet, but they can order the UVT. If incandes-
cent bulbs are used, “daylight incandescent” bulbs are recom-
_m ended.- The blue glass cuts down on the excessive red and
infrared of standard incandescent bulbs, but they are not full
spectrum. Most hardware or electric stores have them or will
get them for you.
Suntan parlors have become popular, but different loca¬
tions may use different types of sunlamps that vary greatly in
their ultraviolet wavelength output and intensity. If goggles
are needed for eye protection, then beware. This is an indica¬
tion that the artificial sunlight source contains short¬
wavelength ultraviolet or germicidal UV, which can be very
harmful to the eyes and also to the skin. Exposure time with
the goggles usually ranges from approximately one to three
minutes as the resistance of the skin builds up. Other types of
sunlights have some short-wavelength UV, and the recom¬
mended exposure time is a little longer. The number of light
bulbs or tubes and their wattage and distance from you is a
very important factor to consider.
As mentioned previously in this book, and also in Health
 WHAT TO DO / 161

and Light, the short-wavelength UV is what the atmosphere

and ozone layer filter out of the sunlight so that only a trace
amount reaches the surface of the earth. Calling the short¬
wavelength ultraviolet or germicidal lights “sunlamps” is cer¬
tainly a misnomer and grossly misleading. I would be in favor
of the Federal Trade Commission or other appropriate
governmental agency restricting their being advertised as
such. The long-wavelength ultraviolet is sometimes referred
to as blacklight or the near UV. These wavelengths come right
next to the violet part of the visible spectrum. The short¬
wavelength UV is sometimes referred to as the far UV and
right next to them come X-rays. From the biological reactions
caused by the short-wavelength UV, it might be better to
think of them as near X-rays rather than far UV. Only a similar
trace amount of each reaches the surface of the earth.
I am obviously a great believer in the health value of a
reasonable amount of natural sunlight, but too much can
definitely be harmful. The big question is how much is a
reasonable amount, and this can vary with light- and dark-
skinned people. I, myself, am pretty much average, and, liv¬
ing in Florida, I personally try to be outdoors in full sunlight, i
wearing a bathing suit, at least one hour every day. I avoid the/
hot summer sun at noontime, and increase the_gxpp_sure dur-f
ing the winter months as weather permits.
I try to maintain a light suntan. After all, tanning of the skin
is Nature’s way_of building up some shielding protection
when the skin has had enough UV. Real dark, dark tanning
can only be for cosmetic purposes. I look on it as Nature’s
screaming, “T<iQ_much!” Very dark tanning cuts way down on
the amount of UV that can get through to where it does any
good.
In addition to being outdoors in the sun, we have ul¬
traviolet transmitting plastic in all the windows of the rooms
of our house where we spend any appreciable amount of time.
162 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

All members of the Ott family who wear glasses have the
ultraviolet transmitting type. We have the full-spectrum radL
ation-shielded fluorescent light fixtures where practical, and
use daylight incandescent bulbs where fluorescent lights..are_
not practical. We are trying to replace all our clothing, etc.
with naturalfiber materials., but this is difficult to accomplish
overnight. We have heavy scatter rugs with thick rubber pad¬
ding in front of the sink and the stove in the kitchen until we
can take up the vinyl tile flooring and replace it with some
other material with a neutral frequency. This is all very
difficult and expensive to do, but I am trying to practice what
I preach as fast as possible.
Frequencies may be divided into two categories, neutral
and stress. Neutral frequencies are those that do not cause
muscle weakness, and stress frequencies are the ones that do.
Generally speaking, natural fibers such as cotton, wool, linen;
silk^ hemp, and wood havejjeutralJEequericies, but may be
affected by colored dyes or other chemical treatments.
Synthetic materials have varying degrees of stress effects in
causing muscle weakness. Vinyl and polyester seem to cause
the greatest loss of strength and acrylic theTeast. Different
electronic devices also cause varying degrees of muscle
strength loss, as do processed foods. In testing any specific
item, make certain you are not involving any offsetting or
counteracting frequencies such as a digital watch or ionizing-
type smoke detector. The digital watch has only a short range
effect while the ionizing smoke detector will weaken muscles
within a range up to 65 feet. The counteracting effects of
certain processed foods are afso affected by the time factor,
which usually lasts about four hours after food is consumed.
My recommendation would be to use as many neutral stress
foods, materials, and electrical devices as possible and avoid
or eliminate the stress frequency items as quickly as practical.
Look for this symbol of approval to assist in selecting tested
full-spectrum and neutral-stress products:
 WHAT TO DO / 163

FULL SPECTRUM
®
— NEUTRAL STRESS
OTT LABORATORIES, INC.
 APPENDIX I

MORE ON KINESIOLOGY

Near the beginning of Chapter 4, entitled “Kinesiology,” 1 stress

“however, this test does not always work as there are other factors
grossly affecting muscle strength that must be eliminated.” Through¬
out the book and especially in Chapter 11, “The Pink Room,” 1
mention some actual applications where the basic kinesiological
muscle test methods are put to practical use.
Since this book was first published in 1982, 1 have continued to
give many lectures. Everyone always seems to particularly enjoy and
have a lot of fun whenever I demonstrate how looking at a pink card
or wearing certain types of digital watches weakens the shoulder
muscles, and, of course, the ionizing smoke detector story always
brings forth a good laugh. People attending my lectures often
volunteer new information that I have not heard of before and I
learn a great deal from them; in particular, more and more about
different items that affect muscle strength.
After one of my lectures a person came up to me and asked if 1 was
aware that one’s state of mind and what he or she was thinking also
 MORE ON KINESIOLOGY / 165
influenced muscle strength. 1 suddenly realized that 1 had not given
this aspect of the effect of psychological stress on muscle strength
much thought at all. I was aware that if someone were suddenly
frightened this could make the heart beat harder and faster, but the
suggestion that simply quietly thinking about white refined sugar, or
anything else generally believed to cause muscle weakness, would
also cause muscle weakness sounds preposterous! Not only did 1 find
this idea preposterous, I have to admit it also annoyed me, because 1
had long thought that some psychologists and some psychiatrists
had been going overboard in attributing many physiological illnesses
to psychological stress of some sort when they could find no other
explanation. However, whether or not 1 liked this new idea was
beside the point as a quick demonstration right there on the spot
showed that it worked. This now added a new parameter of variables
that would, offhand, seem virtually impossible to control. How
would it be possible to control what either the person being tested or
the person doing the testing was thinking about, maybe even sub¬
consciously, if such a concept is possible?
Most fortunately, right at this time 1 received a phone call from Dr.
Martin Greenberg of the Research Department of the Medical
School of the University of California in San Francisco. He advised
that some of the people at the medical school there were interested in
doing a double blind test on the kinesiological muscle test method,
that is, to test the effect of various items on muscle strength where
neither the person being tested nor the person doing the testing knew
what the item being tested was.
Such a double blind test seemed to me exactly what was needed
most, right at this time, and 1 was both delighted and honored to
accept Dr. Greenberg’s invitation to come to the Medical School in
San Francisco and actually take part in the experiment by doing all
of the testing myself. 1 also assisted in the design of the experiment by
eliminating all such items as digital watches, smoke detectors, syn¬
thetic materials in clothing, etc. that might have any effect on the
final results. Everything was corrected and adjusted to my complete
166 I LIGHT RADIATION, AND YOU

satisfaction, A location away from the Medical School was selected

in order to get away from all the computers, video display terminals
and other electronic equipment. This location was, however, about a
mile from a large TV antenna complex situated on a hill. I have also
wondered for a long time what might be the accumulated effect from
the radar units on the Navy ships and other commercial cargo ships
on the people living on the hillsides surrounding one of the world’s
biggest harbors.
1 did a number of muscle tests and everything seemed to work all
right. We started testing a number of volunteer subjects on the
morning of March 28, 1984. The testing continued for three days. At
the end of the third day, the results were examined and they indicated
that, when everybody knew what type of light or material was being
tested, the results were very consistent and my scoring came very
close to 100 percent in determining that such items that were thought
to cause muscle weakness, in fact, actually did so. However, in the
double blind portion of the test, the score for the muscle testing was
ony 53 percent, which is what might be expected from just flipping a
coin. These results were certainly very surprising to me but figures
don’t lie.
—
This new finding that the power of thought has such a direct
—
major effect on muscle strength opens vast new opportunities for
further research. Such subjects as the power of suggestion, hypnot¬
ism, meditation, faith healing, and self-imagery move right into the
position of front and center along with what 1 consider more solid
physiologic subjects such as light and radiation. There also seems to
be a connection here with the placebo problem in research, wherein
controlled studies show that as high as around 26 percent of subjects
have the same positive reaction to a placebo as those receiving a test
drug.
Dr. Greenberg is currently writing a complete, detailed report for
publication. It is felt that more double blind testing is needed.
 APPENDIX II

MONEY IN THE BANK: A NEW TEST PARAMETER

It is a basic law of physics that all chemicals and minerals have what
is known as a maximum wavelength absorption.
Some medications are known to react to ultraviolet light and may
cause severe side effects. This is because they have a wavelength
absorption in the ultraviolet. Accordingly, when prescribing these
drugs for people working indoors in offices all day, it is common
practice for doctors to advise their patients to stay out of the direct
sunlight. It is then necessary to prescribe much higher doses of these
drugs, especially for people working in offices in the North during
the wintertime, in order to obtain normal responses when they are, at
best, exposed to only a minimal amount of ultraviolet or, possibly, to
no ultraviolet at all.
Recently, a friend of mine, quite elderly and hard of hearing, came
down to Florida and took a walk in the bright sunlight. He was
taking several medications which apparently had a wavelength
absorption in the ultraviolet, because he became dizzy, blacked out,
and had to be taken to the hospital.
168 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Instead of telling him to stay out of the sunlight, his new doctor cut
the dose of his medication way down, and told him to go outdoors
and get some more sunlight, but to be careful of getting sunburned.
This new approach to the old problem of the photo-toxic reac¬
tions of certain drugs to sunlight worked very well for my friend, and
was, 1 believe, at least partially responsible for the idea of an interest¬
ing experiment with chickens.
In days gone by, chickens were raised outdoors. More recently,
they have been gradually moved indoors. Originally, some were kept
in chicken houses with large open areas, but lately the trend has been
toward smaller cages in totally enclosed buildings with, for purposes
of economy, very low levels of artificial light that has been switched
to fluorescent lighting, which is more efficient and uses less electricity
than the older incandescent light bulbs.
1 was recently told by the owner of a large poultry operation that
in the old days, when chickens were kept outdoors, a laying hen was
productive for five years, but that under the new “improved” indoor
methods, a laying hen would last only 13 months.
Today, more emphasis is placed on the importance of nutrition.
Now, various supplements, including vitamins, hormones, etc., are
being added to the chicken feed. All these additives substantially add
to the cost of the feed; in addition, some of these additives which have
a wavelength absorption in the ultraviolet, react to these particular
wavelengths.
Apparently, the basic metabolic life process in chickens reacts to
the proper balance between the wavelength absorption characteris¬
tics of the various components in the feed they eat and the light to
which they are exposed, just like my friend whose medication reacted
to sunlight.
The following letter from John Albright, President, Environmen¬
tal Systems, Inc., an important light researcher, gives further
information on the corresponding increase in egg production to a
decrease in feed consumption that occurred when radiation-shielded
fluorescent fixtures, with a little added ultraviolet light, were installed
 MONEY IN THE BANK I 169

in chicken houses on an experimental basis.

Dear Dr. Ott:

This letter will help to put into perspective the value of the Ott
certified shielded fixtures in use in poultry houses.
The monies returned in actual savings on an annual basis are as
follows:
1. 2% less cracked eggs $20,000
2. 8.5% increase in production 39,800
3. Decrease in feed eaten 19.700
4. Shift in egg size 7,800
$87,300
5. Add to this that the birds would not have to be debeaked because
there is no cannibalism, which amounts to another $4,000.00, and
you have a grand total of $91,300 savings, or profit, for the farmer.
An additional fact which has not been counted on is that the birds
can be molted annually and returned to very profitable production
levels. This has now been done two times with the same birds and
they are presently in their third year of productive laying. We will just
have to wait and see if they will last for five years again. 1 just don’t
understand how the industry could be sold this new automated
indoor system that made it necessary to replace the hens so much
oftener at such an additional major expense.
Each time the birds are molted the farmer doesn’t have to buy new
birds. This means a savings of $125,000 on a 50,000 bird house.
Based on these profit numbers, we could see some farmers who are
on the verge of losing their farms actually make a hefty profit.
We hope this information will be of interest to you and others.

Sincerely,

John H. Albright
Pres., Environmental Systems, Inc.

Since receiving the above letter I have had further correspondence

from John Albright that the results of tests he had done at a nearby
regular commercial testing laboratory indicated that the eggs pro-
170 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

duced by the hens kept under the new full spectrum lighting with
radiation shielding contained 22 percent less cholesterol than eggs
produced by hens under ordinary incandescent lighting.
In Chapter 3, “Biological Combustion,” 1 explain how blue light is
now being used to treat the jaundice, hyperbilirubinemia, in prema¬
ture babies. The bilirubin serum in the blood interacts with the
particular wavelengths that we see as blue. This interaction breaks
down the bilirubin serum so that it can be excreted. It is now known
that the wavelength absorption of cholesterol is in the ultraviolet. If
chickens (and perhaps even people) do not get any ultraviolet, the
cholesterol level builds up just as the bilirubin serum does.
During the winter of 1983-84 a severe outbreak of Avian flu hit the
poultry industry in eastern Pennsylvania and several other nearby
states, including Maryland and Virginia. Further word from John
Albright indicated that in the chicken house where our light studies
were being conducted only a very few chickens died as a result of the
flu, whereas in nearby chicken houses entire flocks were lost. The
situation became so serious that the federal government destroyed
approximately 15 million chickens in an attempt to control the
epidemic. During this time sample blood tests were taken at random.
The blood from the chickens under the full spectrum radiation-
shielded lighting showed no trace of the virus, whereas the blood
taken from chickens not under this lighting continued to show traces
of the virus for a period of months.
This may have an interesting correlation to a serious outbreak of
the Hong Kong flu that swept the United States during the winter
1968- 1969. In Florida, the Health Department reported 5 percent of
— —
Sarasota County 6,000 people sick with the flu at the same time.
Employee illness caused the temporary closing of one supermarket, a
social club, and the shutdown of two areas of the Sarasota Memorial
Hospital because 61 nurses were out with the flu.
Obrig Laboratories, now a part of Bausch and Lomb, located just
north of Sarasota, and one of the largest manufacturers of contact
lenses, has approximately one hundred employees. During the entire
 MONEY IN THE BANK I 171

flu epidemic not one employee was absent because of any flu-type
ailment, according to Philip Salvatori, chairman of the board.
Obrig Laboratories was the first to design a new building using
full-spectrum lighting and ultraviolet-transmitting plastic window
panes throughout the entire office and factory areas. The added
ultraviolet seemed to tie in closely with the results noted at the Well of
the Sea restaurant in Chicago. Mr. Salvatori also mentioned that the
Obrig employees had not been given any mass inoculation against
the Hong Kong flu, although some individuals may have received
shots from their private physicians. Mr. Salvatori also commented
that everyone seemed happier and in better spirits under the new
lighting, and that work production had increased by at least 25
percent.
In May of 1983 a U.P.I. story reported that four out of five
patients, ages 35 to 70, with cutaneous T-cell leukemia who were
treated with ultraviolet light at the general clinical research center at
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, showed
significant improvement. Dr. Richard Edelson, associate director of
the center, said the patients were given a drug made from celery,
parsnips and parsley by mouth two hours before a quantity of blood
was withdrawn, and then treated with ultraviolet light. The light
activates the drug that destroys the cancer cells, without hurting
normal cells and without causing any side effects. The blood is then
returned to the patient’s circulatory system. Four of the five patients
were able to resume normal activity. The fifth had a very advanced
case and did not respond. The treatment is still in the development
stage.
The Money in the Bank Parameter observed by chicken farmers
using the new full spectrum radiation-shielded lighting is quite
impressive.

-
 APPENDIX III

THE ULTRAVIOLET CONTROVERSY

Whether ultraviolet light is good or bad for you is a question that

seems to grow more and more controversial with each research study
that is completed. How can the average layperson know what to do
when the experts are so divided in their own thinking on the subject?
Increasingly, headlines in both the general media and research jour¬
nals are proclaiming the possible hazards to the eyes from ordinary
sunlight and even dim indoor light. The ultraviolet is usually made
out to be the culprit. Perhaps now is a good time to examine what is
often overlooked in the fine print.
Much of the medical world seems panicky with fear of the
harmful effects of ultraviolet, no matter how minimal an amount it
may be. Why? One quite obvious reason seems to be the accelerated
method so widely used in research today to test for harmful effects of
various substances to one’s health, for example, consuming 300
times the normal amount of a cyclamate may cause bladder cancer in
rats. Similarity increasing the normal dose of aspirin would mean
taking 600 tablets every four hours. To my knowledge, this test has
 THE ULTRAVIOLET CONTROVERSY / 173
not been done officially, but would obviously be
hazardous to your
health.
When it was discovered that the little extra oxygen given to
premature babies in their incubators caused blindness, brain tissue
damage, deafness and other abnormalities, the practice was discon¬
tinued. Fortunately, no one jumped to the conclusion that this
proved oxygen
hazardous to one’s health, therefore, henceforth
everyone should learn to live without oxygen. As ridiculous as this
sounds it is, nevertheless, exactly what is happening with regards to
ultraviolet light. There is no doubt that too much ultraviolet can be
harmful, but in so ompletely protecting ourselves from any trace o
it, I believe we are creating a
deficiency of important life-supporting
energy.
. an
A report of a study done at the departments of biop ysics
ophthamology of the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia om
monwealth University in Richmond, appears to be primari y
responsible for the
current wave of fear over exposure to any
ultraviolet light. This study was reported in an article entit e
“Action Spectrum for Retinal Injury From Near-Ultraviolet a ia
tion in the Aphakic Monkey” by William T. Ham., r., •
Harold A. Mueller, John J. Ruffolo, Jr., Oh.D., DuPont Guerry ,*
M.D., and R. Kennon Guerry, M.D., and from which the following
is taken:

All animals were first tranquilized with an intramuscular

phencyclidine HC 1, 1 mg/ kg of body weight, and the pupi s i a °
with cyclopentolate HC 1. An intravenous injection of so turn pen
barbital, 15 mg/ kg of body weight, was used for deep anes e
Hypothermia was prevented by enveloping the animal in at
blanket controlled electronically by a rectal thermometer, sp
lum was used to keep the eyelids open and frequent app ication
physiologic saline prevented drying of the cornea.

The article goes on to say that the entire radiation

the dilated pupil of the anesthetized animal using a ,
I

174 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

lamp equipped with quartz optics. Xenon lamps are extremely

intense sources of light, containing high levels of ultraviolet radia¬
tion. Exposure times were given as 100 and 1,000 seconds (little more
than sixteen minutes). The results showed some retinal damage.
It seems to me that focusing the full beam of such an intense light
source directly into the eye of an anesthetized animal with the eyelid
secured open and the pupil fully dilated is a totally abnormal and
unrealistic condition. In my book Health and Light I compare other,
similar studies to someone who puts his hand into the furnace
jumping to the conclusion that heat is bad for us, therefore, we would
henceforth keep our houses at absolute zero temperature.
Though the above deals primarily with the aphakic eye (lenses
removed through cataract surgery), other, similar experiments also
report injury or damage from ultraviolet in laboratory animals with
phakic eyes.
At the Southwest Ophthalmic Dispensers Association annual
meeting in Dallas, Texas, where I was giving a seminar, a representa¬
tive of the manufacturer’s research division presented a paper on the
relatively new UV 400 lens designed to stop all the ultraviolet.
Though specifically recommended for protecting people with
aphakic eyes, much of the general discussion insisted that ultraviolet
was generally bad for all eyes and that the U V 400 lens represented
good prevention against cataracts even for people with normal eyes.
Personally, I would not want to be anesthetized, with my eyelids
secured open, the pupils fully dilated, and the full beam from a
2,500 watt xenon lamp equipped with a quartz optic system focused
directly into my eyes, even for a second. I simply cannot understand
the scientific rationale behind this kind of thinking.
Recently, a person who underwent cataract surgery about six
months before we met advised me that he had had ultraviolet
transmitting plastic lenses implanted in both eyes. Prior to his
surgery, his cholesterol level had been on the high side of normal but
was now very much on the low side. He has not changed his diet or
done anything else that he can think of that might have caused this
 THE ULTRAVIOLET CONTROVERSY / 175
significant drop in his cholesterol. Though this is only an isolated
case, it is, nevertheless, an interesting one, in view of what happened
when a little ultraviolet light was introduced into the chicken house.
This individual told me that he did wear sunglasses in the bright
sunlight but that he spent considerable time on a shaded screened
porch without them.

——
 APPENDIX IV

PROOF OF THE PUDDING

Throughout my book Health and Light, as well as in this one, I have
tried to give specific examples of how important the full spectrum of
natural sunlight is to human health and behavior. Since this book
was first printed, there have been additional examples and further
research studies that should be mentioned.
An article entitled, “Malignant Melanoma and Exposure to Fluo¬
rescent Lighting at Work” appeared in the August 7, 1982, issue of
The Lancet, a leading British medical journal. The authors were
Valerie Beral, Helen Shaw, Susan Evans and Gerald Milton of the
Department of Medical Statistics and Empidemiology, London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, and University
of Sydney and Melanoma Clinic, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, New
South Wales, Australia.
The Lancet article indicates that, statistically, people exposed to
fluorescent light rather than sunlight get malignant melanoma.
Understandably, the article has provoked considerable comment. It
represents a complete break from the traditional assumptions about
 PROOF OF THE PUDDING / 177

fluorescent lighting. For example, the fluorescent tubes in the

research laboratories, administrative offices, and all other areas
of
of the Food and Drug
the Bureau of Radiological Health, Division
plastic
Administration, are covered with a special ultraviolet filtering
absorbing plastic diffus¬
sleeve in addition to the standard ultraviolet
ers in every fluorescent fixture. This is done to make certain that no
trace amount of ultraviolet is released.
in
In addition to the malignant melanoma article published
Lancet, other articles in various journals specifically relate mutage¬
nicity and malignant transformation in tissue culture studies to
fluorescent light. The following titles are listed as examples:
“Mutagenicity and Toxicity of Visible Fluorescent Light to Cultured
Mammalian Cells,” Matthews O. Bradley (National Cancer Insti¬
tute) and Nancy A. Sharkey. Nature, vol. 266 (April 21,
1977),
274-276.
“Fluorescent Light Induces Malignant Transformation in Mouse
Embryo Cell Cultures,” Ann R. Kennedy (Harvard School of
Public Health). Science, vol. 207 (March 14, 1980), 1209-1211.
“Genetic Damage in Escherichia coli K12 AB2480 by Broad-
Spectrum Near-Ultraviolet Radiation,” Robert B. Webb (Argonne
National Laboratory). Science, vol. 215 (February 19, 1982),
991-993.
“Toxicity and Mutagenicity of Radiation from Fluorescent Lamps
and a Sunlamp in L5178Y Mouse Lymphoma Cells," Elizabeth
D. Jacobson (Bureau of Radiological Health, Food and Drug
Administration). Mutation Research, 51 (1978), 61-75.

These articles list numerous other references to similar results

obtained by other researchers using fluorescent lights. As a pretty
general rule all of the abnormal biological responses attributed to
fluorescent lights are blamed on that trace amount of ultraviolet.
My book Health and Light (hardcover edition) has an illustration
lights. The
of two pots of bean seedlings grown under fluorescent
178 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

seedlings in the pot placed directly under the ends of the fluorescent
tubes where the cathodes are located show a stunted, distorted
growth whereas the seedlings in the pot placed under the center of the
8-foot tubes show normal growth development. When a 2/2-inch
aluminum foil shield was placed around each end of the fluorescent
tubes to cover the cathodes, the bean plants still showed the same
stunted, distorted growth. When a similar 2/2-inch lead foil shield
was placed around the ends of each tube, the bean plant showed
normal growth development. This would indicate that a trace
amount of X-rays was coming from the cathodes, even though none
could be measured with conventional X-ray measuring equipment.
The cathodes at each end of the tube are the same as those used in
TV picture tubes and X-ray tubes. However, fluorescent tubes oper¬
ate at a much lower voltage and theoretically should not give off any
X-rays. The G.E. publication “Techni Talks” recently published an
article stressing their quality control in manufacturing the filaments
for high voltage rectifier tubes so that they would be perfectly
smooth, as any rough spot could act as a little point emitter and give
off electrons that could produce X-rays if they happened to hit a
metal target.
One of my time-lapse pictures of a light bulb filament, taken over
the full life of the bulb, clearly shows the filament starting out nice
and new and shiny and smooth. But as it gets older, the heat of the
filament is so great that the metal coils of tungsten soon start to
shrivel and get rough, producing many little points that can only be
seen with a microscope. Old fluorescent tubes and TV sets seem to
give off more radiation than new ones. Many filaments, especially
those in fluorescent tubes, are coated with an electron emissive
material that further compounds the problem.
Another major problem with all fluorescent tubes is that the full
length of the arc gives off a radio frequency emission. However, this
can be eliminated by using a simple wire grid radiation-shielding
device that is electrically grounded.
All this supports my belief that many of the abnormal biological

I
 PROOF OF THE PUDDING / 179
effects reported as caused by a virtually non-existent, minimal trace
amount of ultraviolet in ordinary fluorescent lights are instead the
results of the radio frequency and/or X-ray emissions, usually totally
ignored in supposedly controlled research studies.
It could explain the occurrence of malignant melanoma on the
parts of the body which, though covered by clothing, would not stop
either X-rays or RF radiation. Cathode ray tubes used in computers
and word processing office equipment also emit the same trace
amounts of X-rays and RF radiation, which compounds the prob¬
lem, more so in offices than in homes.
The results of the malignant melanoma study also explain another
inconsistency in the general assumption of ultraviolet as a major
contributing factor in skin cancer. People living under primitive
conditions at high altitudes where there is much more ultraviolet
have been found to be virtually free of all types of cancer. If ultravi¬
olet light is a contributing factor to skin cancer then those people
living at altitudes where the ultraviolet intensities are the highest
might be expected to show a higher incidence of skin cancer than
people living at sea level who have the advantage of the additional
levels of atmosphere, which filters ultraviolet light, reducing its
intensity.
The following letter is very much to the point.

September?, 1981

John, 1 would like to [tell] you [that] 1 feel that information 1

received from you was extremely beneficial in aiding my husband,
Alan, and myself in conceiving.
In 1975, Alan and 1 tried very hard to have a child. We found that
nothing was working along conventional methods. 1 had gone to
several physicians and there was really no major problem as to why 1
couldn’t get pregnant.
I then started taking Clomid, a fertility drug. That also did not
work. From 75 to 77 I must explain that 1 spent most of my hours in
my office under fluorescent light. My day began at 9:00 in the
180 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

morning in the office at my desk and rarely was 1 home before 6:00 at
night. ... I ate properly, I took vitamins, I did all the things that I was
supposed to do.
In January of 1977, we made a major move. We left Delaware, 1
retired and came to sunny Florida. While in Florida, making this
transition, we were very fortunate to find a house right on the Gulf of
Mexico. If you recall, J ohn, during that time, we had a chance to get
together and have a long conversation at your home in Sarasota. You
gave me a great deal of information on full spectrum lighting. You
also told me to throw away my sunglasses which of course I wore all
the time.
I did spend every day, as soon as I got our two children off to
school, out on the beach. 1 put my bathing suit on, took my sun¬
glasses off and walked the beach. I became a very good shark tooth
hunter; as a matter of fact we have over 6,000 in our collection. 1
would sometimes spend four hours a day on the beach walking,
collecting shark’s teeth.
March 10, 1977, we flew to Philadelphia to celebrate my birthday
with a very good friend of ours, who was also my gynecologist and
obstetrician. For a birthday present he gave me an examination and
ran a test and told me that 1 was pregnant. I believe with everything in
me that that came about because I stopped wearing my glasses. s
Since then 1 did start wearing sunglasses but 1 started wearing the ,
full spectrum gray that you had suggested and 1 wear them only when ?
1 need them. Our son was born October 13, 1977. On September 18, f-
1979, our most recent child .. . was born. Now that I am reaching[a]
ripe old age, John, we have decided to go into retirement and there ,
will be no more children. We have a lovely family now.
.. . another reason we decided to move to Florida in the first place
is that 1 was told that 1 had a disease called Vonrecklinghausen’s,
which is neurofibromitosis. It’s a disease where tumors are formed on
nerve endings and, although the disease is rarely fatal, the one time it
is, is when the tumors grow on the auditory canal. 1 was diagnosed
September of 75 as having a tumor on the auditory canal. 1 was told
that this type of tumor was inoperable and that unless a laser beam
was developed quickly to operate, 1 would die within two years, five if
I was really lucky.
 PROOF OF THE PUDDING / 18 1

A few weeks ago I was under a doctor s care, not for any symp¬
toms, but simply to have this disease watched. 1 went to a new ear,
nose and throat man, who has run a series of tests and is quite
doubtful that I ever had the disease. It doesn’t really matter whether
ever had the disease or whether the direct sun was bene icia in
eliminating any signs and symptoms, the fact is 1 have no signs or
symptoms now and it does not appear that 1 am termina .
knows, someday I may go back into my chosen profession again.
I wish you well and much, much success with your boo

Dictated on tape by Mrs. Judith Haimes

Following are excerpts from an article that appeared in the

prise Ledger, Dec. 20, 1982, p. 8, entitled “Former Senator En s
3,700 Mile Walk to Raise Funds for Cancer Research.

PRATTVILLE, ALA. (AP)—Two years ago, W.G. “Mac”

McCarley came out of surgery for stomach cancer. The doctors
told him he had three months to live.
Through medical treatment, belief in God and strengt o
will, he proved them wrong.
On Saturday, the former state senator was honored as he
walked the symbolic last mile of his 3,723-mile walk across the
18 U.S. highways in Alabama.
His walk had at least two purposes: to raise money for
cancer research at the University of Alabama in Birmingham
and to “make the word ‘cancer’ less terrifying.
The walk, which began on February 1, in nearby Montgo¬
mery, ended Saturday in McCarley’s hometown with a cerem¬
ony at the old Fort Doster Armory.
At the end of the march, McCarley said he no longer had
“any illusions about living, nor any fear of dying.
In December 1980, doctors removed about 75 percent of his
stomach and 40 percent of his esophogus after they discovered
he had cancer. He recalled Saturday that two years ago, he was
182 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

lying in the intensive care unit of a hospital.

McCarley said he is “living proof that you don’t have to die
just because some doctor says you will ”

In a phone conversation with Mr. McCarley, he told me he did not

wear any eyeglasses or sunglasses, and that while his doctor did give
him some suntan lotion, he did not like it and never used it again
after two applications. He also said he seldom wore a hat while
walking the highways in Alabama.
I have a whole file of newspaper clippings about unusual cases of
complete cancer remission, sent to me by people who have either
read my book or heard me lecture. These stories and the various
treatments involved were all different except for one thing: that
whatever the person did basically involved getting away from fluo¬
rescent lighting and being outdoors in the natural sunlight.
One story appeared in the Los Angeles Times, September 25,
1978. The front page headline reads, “Boy Beats Disease, Party
Climaxes Leukemia Battle.” While the boy was undergoing exten¬
sive chemotherapy treatment the family moved to Sheep Ranch,
California, where he spent most of his time outdoors taking care of
his horses.
Another story appeared in the Boston Globe. Brenda Lee Fortier,
a pharmacist in Concord, New Hampshire, had surgery in June of
1979 for what was thought to be a simple ovarian cyst. She woke up
to a complete hysterectomy and a diagnosis of cancer. It later
metastasized and she underwent an intensive intravenous chemo¬
therapy program in the hospital. She also stopped working all day
under fluorescent lights, and going to night school, also under
fluorescent lights, and started a self-healing process involving medi¬
tation, relaxation, and self-imagery. The self-imagery program con¬
sisted of imagining her tumor was a golf ball which she could break
apart by kicking it around while wearing white tennis shoes with a
big red star on each ankle. Of course, she did this outdoors, and also
spent most of the rest of her time working in the garden and
 PROOF OF THE PUDDING / 183
horseback riding.
An article in the National Enquirer, July 3, 1979, headlined, “Fred
MacMurray, ‘I’ve Beaten Throat Cancer.’” During his interview, Mr.
MacMurray stated that he defeated throat cancer through a combi¬
nation of radiation, natural foods, and the controversial drug, Lae¬
trile. He said that though he felt good enough to return to acting, he
doesn’t plan to. He says he plans to take it easy and to continue to
—
play golf, work in the garden that sort of thing.
I have many, many more such stories, enough to fill a whole book.
The point is, however, that getting out into the sunlight without
overdoing it is beneficial.
 APPENDIX V

STOP FIDDLING

So far I have discussed mainly the effects of light and radiation on

health. However, their effects on behavior are equally important.
Accordingly, I would like to review, through some short excerpts,
this part of the story from both My Ivory Cellar and Health and
Light, with the addition of some more recent information.
In My Ivory Cellar, published in 1958, 1 mentioned the work of
the late Warden Joseph E. Ragen of the Illinois State Penitentiary in
rehabilitating the toughest types of habitual criminals and making
them eligible for parole through horticultural therapy.
Other forms of manual therapy, including painting and sculpture
done indoors, did not have the same beneficial results as horticultu¬
ral therapy done outdoors in the natural sunlight. Unfortunately, the
results were so startling nobody would believe them.
Health and Light contains the story of the ultraviolet black light
tubes that were installed in the Well of the Sea Restaurant located in
the basement of the old Hotel Sherman in Chicago. In addition to
less absenteeism (no one ever seemed to get the flu), the workers there
 STOP FIDDLING / 185
Two boys attending the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy in
Sarasota suddenly became extremely uncooperative and aggressive.
Their academic achievements went down, their batting averages,
etc., fell off to such an extent that it was suspected that they had
started taking drugs. However, further investigation revealed that
one boy had just started wearing pink sunglasses and the other had
put some psychedelic lighting into his room. When these problems
were corrected, the boys quickly went back to normal.
Some of the staff at radio station WILZ, near St. Petersburg,
Florida, decided to brighten up their surroundings by putting deep
pink fluorescent lights in both the studios and control rooms. About
two months later they began to have problems. For example,
announcers began performing poorly on the air. Everybody became
irritable and consistently at odds with management decisions and
generally difficult to control. Two employees resigned for no known
reason other than general dissatisfaction with themselves and the
staff. Finally, someone thought to remove the pink tubes. Within a
week, as if by a miracle, tempers ceased to flare, congeniality and the
spirit of working together began to redevelop and resignations were
withdrawn. Work improved and mistakes were reduced to a
minimum.
Another interesting bit of information turned up as a result of a
questionnaire given to a group of college students by a professor of
psychology. It was found that three of the students constantly wore
hot pink sunglasses. A check with the faculty ratings indicated that
these three students were considered the most psychologically dis¬
turbed in the college, always the most active ringleaders in protest
groups or demonstration marches.
Studies done at the Florida State Marine Laboratory showed less
aggression and cannibalistic traits in shrimp kept under full spectrum
lighting. Similar results were found with rabbits at the Wills Eye
Hospital in Philadelphia, and at the Northwood Mink Farms in
Crystal Lake, Illinois.
One of the studies done in our own laboratory at the Environmen-
186 I LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

tai Health and Light Research Institute showed that rats placed in
front of a television set shielded with black paper first became
increasingly hyperactive and aggressive, constantly fighting one
another, and then extremely lethargic until, finally, they all died.
However, rats shielded with lead from TV radiation, all remained
perfectly normal.
A study we did at the Adjustive Educational Center of the Sara¬
sota County School System, a special school for children with
learning disabilities and other related problems, showed that all the
televisions sets in the homes of these children were giving off measu¬
rable amounts of X-ray radiation. When these sets were repaired or
discarded, all the children except one were able, within a few months,
to return to their regular classes. We found that the one child who
showed no response even when her viewing hours were greatly
restricted and she was made to sit way back from the set, was
sleeping directly on the other side of the wall from the TV set in the
—
living room. Her pillow was actually only a few inches the thick¬
—
ness of the wall from the back of the set. An ordinary building
parition of this type would give no protection from radiation. When
this situation was corrected she, too, was able to follow her class¬
mates back to her regular school.
Then there is the story of the installation of full spectrum shielded
lighting in some of the classrooms at another Sarasota school. The
improved lighting caused the hyperactive children to calm down,
their academic achievement to go up, and resulted in their getting
fewer cavities and less tooth decay. Two schools in California and
one in Washington State obtained similar results when fluorescent
lights were eliminated in the classrooms and temporary incandescent
lighting used only when absolutely necessary.
A major study was undertaken during the 1982-1983 school year
in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, and supported by the Alberta Education
System. To begin with, this study compared ordinary fluorescent
lighting and full spectrum fluorescent lighting with added ultraviolet
but no radiation shielding. Different colored rooms were also used.
 STOP FIDDLING / 187
During the experiment the radiation shielding was added to part of
the full spectrum lighting system. The results are still being analyzed
but as of this writing the preliminary reports indicate that in certain
sub-studies the added ultraviolet full spectrum, minus the radiation
shielding, clearly produces less absenteeism and a higher academic
achievement record compared to the regular fluorescent lighting.
When the radiation shielding was added, a significant difference was
then noted in the extent in the hyperactivity. Further details will have
to await the final report.
1 add this hasty review of some of the experiments dealing with the
effects of light and radiation on behavior in order to place special
emphasis on what I think is an extremely important and urgent
subject. To my knowledge there is very, very little research being done
on the accumulated effects of low level radiation and distorted light
spectrum on biological systems. Meanwhile, we are becoming more
and more alarmed over generally lower academic achievement in all
our school systems, the increase of crime and violence, and use of
drugs. Every day the news weeklies, newspapers, TV and radio
report the alarming and appalling increase in the use of hard drugs in
every category of society, including top management and white
collar workers, industry in general, in financial and investment firms,
law offices, among factory workers and office workers. Silicon
Valley, the heart of our latest electronic industry, has been singled out
especially, and there have been numerous reports from all over the
world of more and more so-called unusual situations where pregnant
women working with video display terminals are being confronted
with the statistics that there may be a risk 'as high as 75 percent of
suffering either miscarriages or giving birth to children with serious
birth defects.
From my working involvement with all of these studies (admit¬
tedly, some of them are no more than just observations), I see a clear
relationship between the accumulated effects of radiation from all
the electronic devices in common use today, and stress conditions
that cause people to take ever more tranquilizers and medication,
188 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

which can ultimately lead to the use of liquor, pot and hard drugs.
Something must be done quickly. “Rome is burning again,” and a
lot of people must stop their fiddling, especially the responsible
government agencies, industry, educational centers and research
institutions. Hardly a research laboratory in the country pays any
attention to the lighting in its rooms. Lighting is still left up to the
janitors as part of routine building maintenance. The light in all
laboratories must be considered an important research parameter
and I believe a standard should be established as a general procedure.
After over 57 years of taking time-lapse pictures, giving about four
thousand lectures, publishing 64 articles and three books, I have now
purchased a new set of golf clubs and hope to find a little time to take
up the game more seriously.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

PAPERS AND PUBLICATIONS BY JOHN N. OTT

"Time-Lapse Photography.” The Chicago Naturalist, vol. 10 (1947): 21-23.
Study of the Death of Irradiated and Nonirradiated Cells by Cinemicrog¬
raphy,” with Robert Schrek, M.D. Archives of Pathology, AMA, vol. 53
(1952): 363-78.
Sex Life of the Pumpkin.” Atlantic, vol. 121 (1952), no. 2.
Observations of Effects of Light and Temperature on Growth of Flowering
Plants and Fungi.” Bulletin of the Garden Club of America, vol. 45 (July
1957)> no. 4.
—
Time-Lapse Studies on the Embryology of the Zebra Fish Brachydanio
rerio," with K. K. Hisaoka and A. L. Marchese. The Anatomical Record,
vol. 128 (1957): 565.
My Ivory Cellar. Chicago: Twentieth Century Press, 1958. Distributed by
The Devin-Adair Company, Old Greenwich, Conn.
Memorandum on Growth Responses of Plants and Animals to Variations in
Wavelengths of Light Energy.” Tropicals, vol. 8 (Jan-Feb 1964), no. 3:
22.
‘The Question of Light."National Chinchilla Breeder, vol. 20 (June 1964),
no. 6: 17-18.
"Some Observations on the Effect of the Pigment Epithelial Cells of the
Retina of a Rabbit’s Eye, Recent Progress in Photobiology.’’ Proceedings
of the Fourth International Congress on Photobiology. Oxford: Blackwell
Publications, July 1964: 395-96.
190 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

“Some Responses of Plants and Animals to Variations in Wavelengths of

Light Energy.” Annals, New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 117 (Sept.
10, 1964): 624-35.
"Effects of Wavelengths of Light on Physiological Functions in Plants and
Animals.” Illuminating Engineering, vol. 60 (Apr 1965), no. 4: 254-61.
“A Revaluation of Ultraviolet as a Vital Part of the Total Spectrum.” Con¬
tacts, Apr 1966: 3-16.
“The Influence of Light.” Contacto, The International Contact Lens Jour¬
nal, vol. 11 (Mar 1967): 29-36.
“E’Proprio Innocua la Televisione?” L'lngegnere (Nov 1967): 1023-27.
“The Effect of Light and Its Control.” World Hospitals, vol. 3 (1967), no. 4:
277-34.
“The Influence of Light on the Retinal Hypothalmic Endocrine System.’
Annals of Dentistry, vol. 27 (Mar 1968), no. 1: 10-16.
“Responses of Psychological and Physiological Functions to Environmental
Light."Journal of Learning Disabilities, vol. 1 (May and June 1968): nos.
5 and 6.
“A Rational Analysis of Ultraviolet as a Vital Part of the Light Spectrum
Influencing Photobiological Responses.” Optometric Weekly, vol. 50
(Sept 5, 1968), no. 36: 21-30.
“Engineered Light for Living.” The Brooklyn Engineer, vol. 72 (Dec 1968),
no. 3.
“A Rational Analysis of Ultraviolet as a Vital Part of the Light Spectrum
Influencing Photobiological Responses.” Journal of the Maryland Op¬
tometric Association, vol. 1 (Oct-Nov-Dec 1968): 22.
“Interdisciplinary Communication Needs Increase.” Society of Photo-
Optical Instrumentation Engineers Journal, vol. 7 (Jan 1969), no. 2: 4&-
49-
“The Effect of Artificial Light on Health." Let’s Live, vol. 37 (Oct 1969),
no. 10.
Health and Light: The Effects of Natural and Artificial Light on Man and
Other Living Things. Old Greenwich, Conn.: The Devin-Adair Com¬
pany, 1973. Paperback edition, New York: Pocket Books, 1976.
“Environmental Variables in Animal Experimentation.” Selections from a
Symposium sponsored by the Delaware Valley and Metropolitan
branches of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.
Edited by Hulda Magalhaes. Lewisburg, Pa.: Bucknell University Press,
1974 (contributed chapter, pp. 39-57).
“The Eyes’ Dual Function.” Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat, vol. 53 (July, Aug,
Sept, Nov 1974), nos. 7, 8, 9, 11.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY / 191
“Light, Radiation, and Academic Achievement: Second-Year Data, with
Lewis W. Mayron, Ellen L. Mayron, and Rick Nations. Academic
Therapy, vol. 11 (Summer 1976), no. 4: 397-407.
“Influence of Fluorescent Lights on Hyperactivity and Learning Dis¬
abilities.” Journal of Learning Disabilities, vol. 9 (Aug-Sept 1976), no. 7:
417-22.
“Light, An Overlooked Factor in Healing.” Let’s Live, Aug 1977: 30-36.
“The Eyes’ Dual Function” (Parts I and II) in A Physicians Handbook on
Orthomolecular Medicine by Roger J. Williams and Dwight K. Kalita.
Reprinted from Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat, vol. 53 (1974)’ nos- 7 an^
Elmwood, New York: Permagon Press, 1977: 173-6°-
“The Influence of Light and Radiation on Plants, Animals and People. The
Construction Specifier, vol. 30 (Nov 1977), no. 10: 30-38.
—
“Bad Lighting and Our Health Is Anyone Accountable? The Health
Quarterly (Keats Publishing Company, New Canaan, Conn.), vol. 3
(1978), no. 1: 16-17, 66.
“Light, The Missing Link? Cause and Effect, Cage Differences and Excep¬
tions.” Northwest Academy of Preventive Medicine Journal, vol. 1 (197$)>
no. 2: 14-19.
“Paradoxical Orthodoxy in Cancer Research. Pursuit, vol. 11 O' inter
1978), no. 1: 13-17. . „.
“The Effects of Light and Radiation on Human Health and Be avior in
Biochemical Approaches to Treatment of Delinquents and Criminas.
Edited by Leonard J. Hippchen. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold,
1978 (contributed chapter, pp. 105-115). ,
W holistic Dimensions in Healing. Edited by Leslie J. Kaslo ew or .

—
Doubleday/ Dolphin, 1978 (contributed chapter).^
"Malillumination A New Dimension in Lighting, Lighting intensions,
vol. 2 (Nov 1978), no. 9: 40-42.
“The Dual Function of the Eyes.” Southern Journal of Optometry, vol. 21
(1979), no. 6: 5, 8-14.
“The Dual Function of the Eyes. Digest of Chiropractic conomics,
vol. 22 (July-Aug 1979), no. 1: 18-23.
“The Electric Dimension of Living Cells. From Non-Ionizing a ta ion.
Proceedings of a Topical Symposium, November 26-28, 1979, sponsore
by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists,
Cincinnati, Ohio: 249-52. , . „
“The Role of Electromagnetic Energy in Human Health and Behavior.
Journal of Energy Medicine, vol. 1 (1980), no. 1: 110-113.
“School Lighting.” Churchill Forum, vol. 2 (Mar-Apr 1980), no. 3- (Ihe
 192 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Churchill Forum is published by the Churchill Center for Learning Dis¬

abilities, 22 E. 95th Street, New York, N.Y. 10028.)
“The Effect of Light in Predetermination of Sex.” 'Northern California
Thoroughbred, vol. 9 (Spring 1980), no. 2: 34, 53.
Letter to the Editor, Journal of Orthomolecular Psychiatry, vol. 9 (May
1980), no. 2.
“Syntonic Optometry and Malillumination." Journal of Syntonic Op¬
tometry, July 1980.
“Malillumination and Biological Systems: A Challenge to Designers.”
Planetary Association for Clean Energy Newsletter, vol. 2 (July-Aug
1980), no. 3: 2-4.
“School Lighting and Hyperactivity.” Journal for Biosocial Research, vol. 8
(Summer 1980): 6-7.
“The Electrical Dimension of Living Cells.” Northwest Academy of Preven¬
tive Medicine Newsletter, vol. 3 (July-Aug 1980), no. 7.

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— — r
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(See also chapters 6 and 8 for additional references.)

 Index

Abbott Laboratories, 122 Blum, Dr. Kenneth, 81

Acupuncture, 35 Bureau of Radiological Health,
Alcoholism, 81-82 105, 139
American Cancer Society, 102-03,
106 Caesarean births, 4, 32
American Association for Labora¬ Calcium, 56
tory Animal Sciences, 122 Callahan, Philip S., xi, 36, 66-67,
Anderson, M.D., Hospital and 74
Tumor Clinic, 99 Cancer, 84-92, 94-107, 112-13,
Axelrod, Dr. Julius, 81 118-20, 150
Center for Light Research, 1, 142,
Bar magnet, 51-53, 76 146
Barth, Dr. Earl, 68 Central Clinic Research Center
Bausch & Lomb, 71 (National Institutes of Health),
Beeswax, 36-38 3> 63
Bellevue Medical Center, 98 Chignell, Colin F., 114-15
Ben May Cancer Research Labo¬ Chinchillas, 13-15
ratory, 101 Cigarettes, 49-50
Biliribinemia, 21-24 Collins, Marva N., 134-35
Black spot (roses), 68-71 Corth, Richard, 127
Blinzley, R. J., 123 County Office of Education (Santa
Blue, 14-15, 21-24, 30, 40, 42, Cruz, Calif.), 130-33
63, 83, 92, 105, 157, 160 Cremer, Dr. Richard J., 21
 INDEX / 197

Crouch, C. L., 125-26 Greenburg, Joel, 106

Guppies, 12-13
deMan, Dr. J. M., 53-54 Guth, Sylvester, 126
Demopoulos, Harry, 58
Dept, of Health, Education and Hafley, W. L., 123
Welfare, 111-13 Harding-Passey melanoma, 103
Diamond, Dr. John, 28 Harris, Patricia, 111-12
Disney, Walt, 7-12 “Hear Wax,” 37-38
Dougherty, Dr. Thomas J., 113 Hellman, Kiki B., 105
Duro-Test Corporation, 126 Hicks, Robert A., 146
Hirsch, Charles J., 123
Eigsti, Dr. O. J., 68-69 Hoffman, Roger A., 127
Electret cells, 66-68, 74 Hollwich, Dr. Fritz, xiv, 20-21
Electromagnetic energy, xii, 20- Huggins, Dr. Charles, 100
21, 24, 25, 36, 49, 67 Hughes, Philip C., 128
Estabrook, Ronald, 58 Hyperactivity, 17, 43, 125-38
European Society for the Study of
Drug Toxicity, 24 Illuminating Engineering Research
Institute, 125-26
Federal Center for Disease Con¬ Incandescent lights, 14-15, 23,
trol, 51 83, 101, 105, 160, 162
Felber, Dr. Troy D., 83 Insect antennae, 36
Fifth International Congress of Institute for Child Behavior Re¬
Radiation Research, 104 search, 126
Fluorescent lights, xiii, 4, 10, 12- Isolation stress, 49
17, 22, 26, 30-32, 35, 42"45>
54, 65, 82-83, 91, 1Q2, 104-05, Jaffe, Dr. Russell M., 63-65
115, 125-35, 138-39, 153
Fluoridation, 74-76 Kaczurowski, M., 104
Full spectrum lighting, 22, 42-43, Keuter, Kenneth E., 122
49, 104, 128, 138, 162 Kime, Dr. Zane R., 19
Kovach, Dr. John S., 53-54
Gabby, Dr. Samuel Lee, 99-100, Krebs, Dr. Ernst, Jr., 91-92
*05
Galloway, Dr. Charles E., 100 Laboratory of Environmental Phy¬
General Electric Company, 126- sics, ii4_15
29, 148-49 Laetrile, 84-92, 94
Goodheart, Dr.George J., 27 Lauer, H. E., 62
Green, Drs. Elmer and Alyce, Lead pencil, 2, 38, 43, 49, 60-61,
110 65
198 / LIGHT, RADIATION, AND YOU

Lenses, 23, 25, 27, 29, 63, 118, National Institute for Occupational
153, 159 Safety and Health, 137
Light therapy, 21-23, 83-115 National Institute of Environmen¬
Lightning rod, 2, 33-35, 38, 65 tal Health Sciences, 114
Lucey, Dr. Jerold F., 22 National Institutes of Health, 3,
Lyons, Mrs. Bumis, 130-32 63-65, 83, 113-14
Lytle, C. David, 105 Natures Half Acre, 7
Negative ions, 34-35, 60
Manner, Dr. Harold, 85-87, 91,
94 O’Leary, K. Daniel, 128-29
Margarine, 57-58 On a Clear Day, 7, 9-12, 17, 31
Mayo Clinic, 89-91 Orange, 23, 30, 41-42, 149
Mayron, Dr. Lewis, 128 Overbrook School for the Blind,
McCardle Memorial Laboratory 134
for Cancer Research, 82-83 Ozone layer, 19
McDonagh, Antony F., 24
Melatonin, 81 Painter, Marylyn, 133
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Pellegrini, Robert J., 146
Center, 84-87, 91, 94, 96 Phototoxicity, 24-25, 91, 94
Menninger Clinic, 110 physaruva polycepholum, 82-83
Mercury vapor lights, 26 Pineal gland, 81
Microwave ovens, 49, 53, 56-57, Pink, 4, 16, 23, 30, 40-42, 100,
159 104, 105, 118, 127, 142-43, 149
Milk, 54-55 Pituitary gland, 98
Miller, Dr. Julian, 10-11 Pollikoff, R., 104
Moertel, Dr. Charles, 89-90 Polyester, 2, 3, 29, 32, 35, 38,
Moolenburgh, Dr. Hans C., 88- 49, 58-59, 163
89 Positive ions, 35
Morrison, Dr. Bayard, 106, 113 Ptergium, 80-81
Multivapor lights, 26 Pumpkins, 9-12
Muscle testing techniques, 27-29, Pyramid power muscle test, 38,
35, 39 59-60, 65
National Cancer Institute, 106, Radiation Hazards Bill of 1968, 17
112 Radio Corporation of America,
National Council for Radiation 123-25
Protection and Measurements, Ragen, Joseph E., 138
123 Raiter, Judith Bartholomew, 133
National Foundation for Cancer Red, 16, 42, 105
Research, 106 Rimland, Dr. Bernard, 126
 INDEX / 199

Rosenbaum, Alan, 128 Ultraviolet,19, 23, 28, 30, 31-32,

Roswell Park Memorial Institute, 80-82, 92-94, 133, 139, 152,
141 153, 157» 180

Salov, Dr. Leslie D., 102-12 Video display terminals, 137-38,

Saltarelli, Dr. Cora, 142 155-56
Sattar, Dr. A., 53-54 Vinyl, 35, 38, 40, 49, 163
Scanlon, Dr. Edward F., 101-03 Vision and Health Center, 107
Schauss, Alex, 142
Schultheiss, Dr. Charles R., 27-28
Washington State Criminal Justice
Secrets of Life, 7, 9-12
Training Commission, 140, 141-
Sery, T. W., 104
Simonton, Dr. Carl O., 110 42
Werlin, Jerome, 134
Sleep, 44-45
Westinghouse Electric Corpora¬
Smoke detectors, ionizing 3, 29,
tion, 127
32» 35> 61, 65, 163 Westside Preparatory School
Sodium vapor lights, 23, 26, 30,
(Chicago, Ill.), 134-35
136 Wills Eye Hospital and Research
Stock, Dr. C. Chester, 84-86
Institute, 104
Sugar, 46-47
Wilson, Dr. P., 81
Sunglasses, 4, 25, 29-64, 65, So-
Wright, Dr. Jane C., 98-99, 156
81, 97-99, 118, 159
Wrist watch, digital, 2, 29, 32,
Sydnor, Dr. Katherine, 101, 105
60, 62-63, 65, 163
Szent-Gyorgyi, Dr. Alfred, 106-07

Television sets, 31, 35, 123-25, X-rays, xi, 17, 31-32, 68-70, 92,
137-38, 155 105, 123-25, 138, 139
Thermal effects, 66, 68-77
Thorington, Luke, 126
Tree shrews, 97 Yellow, 42
Tukey, Dr. Harold, 10 Yin Yang, 34-35» 53
 APPENDIX
Sources of Information and Lights

Environmental Health & Light Research Institute

Att: Fred Mendelsohn
16057 Tampa Palms Blvd. West / Ste 221
Tampa, Fla. 33647
800-544-4878
813-621-0058
Ott Light Systems Inc.
Att: Ken Ceder
306 East Cota Street
Santa Barbara, Calif. 93101
805-564-3467
White Electric Co., Inc.
“The Light Blue Place”
Att: D. C. White
1511 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley, Calif. 94702
415-845-8535

Designs Division
Att: Herschel Queen
12 Middlesex Road, Box 211
Chesatnut Hill, Mass. 02167
617-449-2261

V”
 about the author

J°in Nash Ott, President of

an ectures John Ott Pictures, Inc., writes
extensively in the field of photobiology, which he
rst explored for a wide
vory Cellar. After audience in Health and Light and My
an er, he turned twenty years as a successful Chicago
p y into a
his lifelong interest in timelapse photogra-
full-time investigation of the ecology of light.
believe, Ott says, “that we need
a out natural to know much more
and artificial light and what it does to
t ie p ants and us and to
animals sharing our world. Modem technology
has made our old
ideas about light obsolete.”
i ** S. research has brought him citations and awards from
orticultural, scientific, and medical
honorary Doctor of Science degree societies, including an
Chicago. Edward F. from Loyola University at
can Cancer Society, Scanlon, M.D., President of the Ameri¬
1981, has said of his findings: “The impli¬
cations for laboratory
emphasis needs to be research are considerable, and greater
placed on the control of illumination.
John N. Ott has been the pioneer
Dr, Ott makes in this work.”
his home in Sarasota, Florida, where he
carries on and directs
regular contributor to
further research in his field. He is a
such journals as Illuminating Engineer¬
ing, Optometric Weekly,
His lecture tours and fieldAcademic Therapy, and Let’s Live.
work keep him in touch with scien¬
tistsaround the world.
 ——_i
;
LAPL
—.—
574.52 0 89-1 1990
Ott/Light. radiation, and you : h

Other Devin-Ada 3
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Health and
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Nutrition
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Health and Light by John N. Ott. A pioneering study on the effects of

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Illustrated Pb. $6.95

My Ivory Cellar by John N. Ott. The author describes the evolution of

time-lapse photography, including his famous “dancing flowers" and
other special effects achieved for Walt Disney's nature films, ai id shows
how this work led him to ah enduring interest in photobiology.
Illustrated f 10.50
Color Therapy by Linda Clark. Now in its fifth printing, this popular
book explores the psychological and therapeutic effects of ugrt and
color, including the uses of color in meditation and "i of gem-
E . '•'tones and amulets, long believed to emit wavelengths and vibrations
I V’ lOicited to their colors and affecting peop'e in similar ways.
S' ^Tables > . Pb. $10.95
Rejuvenation by Linda Clark. In her 'fifteenth ^bk, America's leading
l\ alih.i eporter brings together and analyzes methods to restore and
maintain vigor, mental acuity, and personal attractiveness into ad¬
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range program for good looks and good health. $1 2T 5
Overcoming Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases by Max Warm¬
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natural methods, including detoxification, raw foods, the elimination of
stress, and exercise. Both children and the elderlv benefited from the
regimens documented in th;s important book, which eludes recipes
and case histories. *
r > $12.95
Order directly fror :
Devin-A .lair, Publishers
6 North Water Street ?

Greenwich, Connecticut 0'5830

or ask your local bookstore.

ISBN 0-8159- 5 I 21-9'