The Major Items of Laboratory Equipment
(See: Plates I-VI.)
The complex experiments for assessing the electro- and micro-biological properties of the diverse bions and substances required special adaptation, and, in some cases, specially purchased equipment.
The Microscope
Currently our institute owns the following:
3 large Reichert "Z"-microscopes.
1 Leitz research microscope.
With the Reichert microscopes, a magnification of up to 3750x is easily attainable because of the slanted binocular [adapter] tube, which increases the normal magnification by 50%. If one uses a special Leitz objective 150 X Apochromat in conjunction with a 25x compensating ocular and the slanted binocular tube, a magnification of up to 4500x can be achieved, though not without great difficulty.
Figure 2. Setup for microelectrical studies.
Figure 3. Setup for long - and short-interval time-lapse photography.
Normally, examination is done under dark-field at a magnification of about 300x in order to study motility; for an overall appraisal of structure and type of movement, we usually use a magnification of 1200x; finally, at a magnification of about 3000x, the fine structure of the organisms and intracellular vibrations can be determined, which become visible only at this magnification. In order to assess accurately any movement inside the organisms, we also use a dark-field condenser, made by Reichert in Vienna, which enables us to do dark-field examinations at a magnification of about 3000x.
Figure 4. The two relay setups for the time-lapse photography.
This manipulation is extremely complicated and requires extensive preparation. A great many characteristic processes became observable only with the use of the Reichert "Z"-microscope; phenomena that in no way can be perceived with a vertical monocular tube or even with a nonslanting binocular tube. Therefore, verified results are hardly possible without the use of such optical instruments.
Microfilm Equipment
Every newly observed process that showed a typical characteristic was filmed immediately. Two kinds of film cameras were used: One was a CK Pan Film Camera, Kodak F 1.9, which permits a setting of 8 frames per second; i.e., a two-fold acceleration of movement. Normally, filming was done through a monocular tube at magnifications ranging from 300x to 1500x by positioning the film directly above the ocular of the microscope. We also succeeded in filming slow-moving structures at a magnification of 2300x through a slanted binocular tube; we did this by attaching the camera at an angle on to one of the oculars.
Figure 5. The microfilm apparatus and motor for the time-lapse photography.
Figure 6. Relay apparatus for long-interval time-lapse photography.
For time-lapse filming of developmental processes we used a large Cine Kodak Special Camera (F 1.9). This camera has the advantage of permitting individual shots and a very exact regulation of both light intensity and exposure time.
For time-lapse photography, two pieces of equipment were used: One was a time-lapse apparatus (Electric Release Control for Cine Kodak Special, produced by Eastman Kodak Co.).
Figure 8. Circuit diagram for the long interval time-lapse apparatus.
By setting various relays, accelerations of movement are possible in the following order of magnitude:
4-fold acceleration (4 frames per second)
8-fold acceleration (2 frames per second)
16-fold acceleration (1 frames per second)
32-fold acceleration (1 frame per 2 seconds)
48-fold acceleration (1 frame per 3 seconds)
64-fold acceleration (1 frame per 4 seconds)
80-fold acceleration (1 frame per 5 seconds)
96-fold acceleration (1 frame per 6 seconds)
With about a 96-fold acceleration, [the frames contained on] one meter of film are exposed for 13 minutes 12 seconds. This camera is used for filming developmental processes and movements that are still visible to the naked eye, though with some effort and at high magnification.
To film developmental processes and movements that are no longer visible, we used a time-lapse apparatus furnished by Askania in Berlin.
Figure 9. Short interval time-lapse apparatus.
The switch and relay board were adjustable for the following acceleration speeds:
One frame in 15 seconds (240-fold time-compression)
One frame in 20 seconds (320-fold time-compression)
One frame in 30 seconds (480-fold time-compression)
One frame in 40 seconds (640-fold time-compression)
One frame in 1 minute (960-fold time-compression)
One frame in 5 minutes (4,800-fold time-compression)
One frame in 10 minutes (9,600-fold time-compression)
One frame in 15 minutes (14,400-fold time-compression)
One frame in 20 minutes (19,200-fold time-compression)
One frame in 30 minutes (28,800-fold time-compression)
One frame in 40 minutes (38,400-fold time-compression)
One frame in 1 hour (57,600-fold time-compression)
One frame in 2 hours (115,200-fold time-compression)
One frame in 5 hours (288,000-fold time-compression)
One frame in 10 hours (576,000-fold time-compression)
The last adjustment means that one meter of film could be taken over [a period of] 55 days and nights. The magnification in time-lapse filming ranged from approximately 300x to 1200x.
For the microelectrical studies, we used an apparatus especially built for this purpose (see Figure 2). A solid, round rod, with a movable cross-bar, is placed upright on a fixed base. This cross-bar, in turn, has two [vertical] glass tubes movable in two directions; [each glass tube has] a copper wire threaded through [the top end and connected to] a fine platinum wire projecting from [the bottom] end. The platinum wires are fastened to loops that are attached to two opposite sides of a trough on a stand. This [electrode] apparatus is connected to a Pentostat (manufactured by Siemens of Berlin) that makes exact measurements and permits a current adjustment as low as 0.2 mA.
Later, all filming was done with the aid of an optical attachment that permitted observation during the process of filming. The camera can be set up vertically above the ocular, as well as horizontally. By the Summer of 1937, we had produced the following: one complete film of preparation 6, bion experiment, and a film nearing completion: preparations 1, 2, and 3 (preliminary life forms, from swelling earth, coal, and soot). The laboratory is also equipped with all the necessary film-developing apparatus.
For electric potential measurements we used an ocillograph connected to a 3-tube D.C. amplifier. This instrument was produced by the Universiaetsinstrumentfabrik in Lund (Figures 10 and 11).
Figure 10. The 3-tube amplifier and silver electrodes (non-polarizable and unshielded).
Figure 11. Photographic film recorder (part of the set-up shown in Figure 10).
For the bacteriological studies, we set up a specially equipped laboratory complete with autoclaves (sterilization at 120 degrees) and dry sterilizer (sterilization up to 190 degrees).
Completed in October, 1937.
Signed: Wilhelm Reich
© 2008 The American College of Orgonomy. All rights reserved.
