1904-5.] NIELS R. FinsEN—HIs LIFE AND WORK. 99 
NIELS R. FINSEN—HIS LIFE AND WORK. 
By CHARLES R. Dickson, M.D., ToRonro. 
Electrologist to Toronto General Hospital, Hospital for Sick Children, St. Michael's 
Hospital; Fellow and Ex-President of American Electro-Therapeutic 
Association; Member of Canadian Institute, Etc. 
(Read 28th January, 1905). 
THE beneficial action of l'ght, not only in maintaining health merely, 
but also in combating various forms of disease, has been recognized from 
_time immemorial in a general way, almost intuitively, and often unwit- 
tingly. Sunlight has ever been acknowledged a most potent restorative. 
The ancient Greeks were in the habit of anointing their bodies and there- 
after exposing themselves unclad on the flat roofs of their dwellings to 
the direct rays of the sun, not only on the score of health, but also as a 
luxury.* 
Vestricius and Cicero mention that the Romans similarly indulged 
in the sun-bath, followed frequently by cold sponging of the surface of 
the body. At a later period in their history they erected special outbuild- 
ings for the purpose, which they called Solaria and in these took their 
sun-bath, or Heliosis. 
Herodotus especially advises sun-baths for those whose muscles are 
weak and flabby. Antyllus goes into the matter more fully still, detailing 
the effects of the sun-bath and its action upon the system, and directing 
in what diseases it may be found useful. Herodotus, C. Aurelian, and 
Antyllus recommend sun-baths in the treatment of diseases of the skin. 
And many other of the writers of antiquity have advised the use of aie 
sun-bath as a curative agency in quite a wide range of diseases. 
This early belief in the health-giving power of the rays of the sun 
is found among many nations and is well nigh universal. Natives of 
South and Central America and Mexico may be seen at mid-day stretched 
full length on their backs for hours at a time in the blazing tropical sun, 
as a remedy for consumption; a method which is said to antedate the ad- 
vent of the Spaniards.t And in China, Japan, Hayti, and Mexico not only 
* Freund, ‘‘ Radio-Therapy.”’ 
+ Rogers, ‘‘ Lucotherapy.”’ 
