Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose | Page 5

something better than a
'cohering' receiving was needed--something that was self-recovering,
like a human eye. To discover that something, Dr. Bose began a study
of the whole theory of 'coherer action.' It was hitherto believed that the
electric waves, by impinging on iron and other metallic particles in
contact, brought about a sort of fusion--a sort of 'coherence'--and that
the diminution of resistance was the result of that 'coherence.' To
satisfy himself as to the correctness of this theory, Dr. Bose engaged
himself in a most laborious investigation to find out the action of
electric radiation not only on iron particles but on all kinds of matter
and ultimately discovered the surprising fact that, though the impact of
electric waves generally produced a diminution of resistance, with
potassium there was an increase of resistance after the waves had
ceased.[11] This discovery at once showed the untenability of the old
theory and pointed to the conclusion that the effect of electric radiation
on matter is one of discriminative molecular action--that the Electric
Waves produced a re-arrangement of the molecules which may either
increase or decrease the contact resistance. It may be incidentally
mentioned here that this detection of molecular change in matter under
electric stimulation has given rise to a new theory of photographic
action.
As a result of his painstaking investigation on the action of Electric
Waves on different kinds of matter, Dr. Bose invented a new type of
self-recovering electric receiver, "so perfect in its action that the
Electrician suggested its use in ships and in electro-magnetic
light-houses for the communication and transmission of danger-signals
at sea through space. This was, in 1895, several years in advance of the
present wireless system." Practical application of the results of Dr.
Bose's investigations appeared so important that the Governments of
Great Britain and the United States of America granted him patents for
his invention of a certain crystal receiver which proved to be the most

sensitive detector of the wireless signal. Dr. Bose, however, has made
no secret at any time as to the construction of his apparatus. He has
never utilised the patents granted to him for personal gain. His
inventions are "open to all the world to adopt for practical and
money-making purposes." "The spirit of our national culture" observes
Sir J. C. Bose "demands that we should for ever be free from the
desecration of utilising knowledge for personal gain."[12]
HIS RESEARCHES TAKE A NEW TURN
This inquiry which Dr. J. C. Bose started for the purpose of
ascertaining 'coherer action'--why the "receiver" had to be tapped in
order to respond again to electric waves--took him unconsciously to the
border region of physics and physiology and gave an altogether new
turn to his researches. "He found that the uncertainty of the early type
of his receiver was brought on by 'fatigue' and that the curve of fatigue
of his instrument closely resembled the fatigue curve of animal
muscle."[13] He did not stop there but pushed on his investigations and
found "that the 'tiredness' of his instrument was removed by suitable
stimulants and that application of certain poisons, on the other hand,
permanently abolished its sensitiveness." He was amazed at this
discovery--this parallelism in the behaviour of the 'receiver' to the
living muscle. This led him to a systematic study of all matter, Organic
and Inorganic, Living and Non-Living.
RESPONSE IN LIVING AND NON-LIVING
He began an examination of inorganic matter in the same way as a
biologist examines a muscle or a nerve. He subjected metals to various
kinds of stimulus--mechanical, thermal, chemical, and electrical. He
found that all sorts of stimulus produce an excitatory change in them.
And this excitation sometimes expresses itself in a visible change of
form and sometimes not; but the disturbance produced by the stimulus
always exhibits itself in an electric response. He next subjected plants
and animal tissues to various kinds of stimulus and also found that they
also give an electric response. Finding that a universal reaction brought
together metals, plants and animals under a common law, he next
proceeded to a study of modifications in response, which occur under

various conditions. He found that they are all benumbed by cold,
intoxicated by alcohol, wearied by excessive work, stupified by
anaesthetics, excited by electric currents, stung by physical blows and
killed by poison--they all exhibit essentially the same phenomena of
fatigue and depression, together with possibilities of recovery and of
exaltation, yet also that of permanent irresponsiveness which is
associated with death--they all are responsive or irresponsive under the
same conditions and in the same manner. The investigations showed
that, in the entire range of response phenomena (inclusive as that is of
metals, plants and animals) there is no breach of continuity; that "the
living response in all its diverse modifications is only