Clarence Dally
Photo credit: smithsonianmag.com
Clarence Dally, a glassblower by trade, worked at Thomas Edison’s laboratory. In 1895, Edison and Dally started experimenting with X-rays and Dally stood in radiation for hours at a time.
Five years later, Dally was already developing lesions. His left hand had been X-rayed for countless hours. When that hand became too painful to use, he switched to his right. It wasn’t long before he needed to keep his hands immersed in water to try to relieve the burning.
The burns on his hands were repaired with skin grafts from his legs. His left arm was eventually amputated, and four fingers were removed from his right hand. It was only then that Dally stopped his work with Edison, although Edison promised to support him for the rest of his life.
Dally’s right arm was removed in 1903, and he died in 1904. Edison gave up on X-rays because of the dangers.
Just one more reason to dislike Edison, as if I needed any more.
Coffee in the kitchen this morning!
