The foregoing are only a few of the multitude of photochemical reactions and other effects of radiant energy.  The development of this field awaits to some extent the production of so-called actinic rays more efficiently and in greater quantities, but there are now many practical applications of artificial light for these purposes.  In the extensive fields of photography various artificial light-sources have served for many years and they are constantly finding more applications.  Artificial light is now used to a considerable extent in the industries in connection with chemical processes, but little information is available, owing to the secrecy attending these new developments in industrial processes.  However, this brief chapter has been introduced in order to indicate another field of activity in which artificial light is serving.  It is agreed by scientists that photochemistry has a promising future.  Mankind harnesses nature’s forces and produces light and this light is put to work to exert its influence for the further benefit of mankind.  Science has been at work systematically for only a century, but the accomplishments have been so wonderful that the imagination dares not attempt to prophesy the achievements of the next century.

XX

LIGHT AND HEALTH

The human being evolved without clothing and the body was bathed with light throughout the day, but civilization has gone to the other extreme of covering the body with clothing which keeps most of it in darkness.  Inasmuch as light and the invisible radiant energy which is associated with it are known to be very influential agencies in a multitude of ways, the question arises:  Has this shielding of the body had any marked influence upon the human organism?  Although there is a vast literature upon the subject of light-therapy, the question remains unanswered, owing to the conflicting results and the absence of standardization of experimental details.  In fact, most investigations are subject to the criticism that the data are inadequate.  Throughout many centuries light has been credited with various influences upon physiological processes and upon the mind.  But most of the early applications had no foundation of scientific facts.  Unfortunately, many of the claims pertaining to the physiological and psychological effects of light at the present time are conflicting and they do not rest upon an established scientific foundation.  Furthermore some of them are at variance with the possibilities and an unprejudiced observer must conclude that much systematic work must be done before order may arise from the present chaos.  This does not mean that many of the effects are not real, for radiant energy is known to cause certain effects, and viewing the subject broadly it appears that light is already serving humanity in this field and that its future is promising.