EFFECT OF ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT ON OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND ON TOTAL METABOLISM

Abstract
The effect of ultraviolet light on the physiologic functions of the cell is a problem of fundamental importance. One of these functions is that of cellular respiration and heat production. In this article are reported experiments made to determine whether the total metabolism of the human organism is affected by maximum exposures of ultraviolet light from a quartz mercury vapor lamp. The earlier work of K. A. Hasselbalch on animals and that of A. Durig on man would indicate that light has little effect on the total metabolism. The opinion of clinicians employing ultraviolet irradiations therapeutically is that this form of wave length results in a stimulating action. However, there are few exact measurements. Harris1 has found that the full irradiations from a quartz mercury vapor lamp are without appreciable effect on the total metabolism as judged from carbon dioxide production over short periods of time, while the ultraviolet rays

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