Actinic Rays
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Actinic rays are a part of radiant energy with strong chemical and electrical effects, belonging to the violet and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum. They primarily induce chemical processes and can also scatter an electric charge.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Actinic Rays, a part of radiant energy possessing strong chemical and electrical action. This property belongs to short waves—the violet and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum. These rays, mainly, cause a series of chemical processes (for example, photography); it must be said that rays with a longer wavelength also possess actinicity, but weaker. Actinic rays possess the property of scattering an electric charge. - Actinicity: 1) the ability of a substance to undergo chemical transformations under the action of radiant energy; 2) the ability of radiant energy to cause chemical transformations in a substance.
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“Actinic Rays.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/actinic-rays/