Jean Saidman

Jean Saidman (19 November 1897 – 6 July 1949) was a French radiologist who promoted the idea of heliotherapy or actinotherapy, using solar radiation to cure various diseases such as tuberculosis.

He built special rotating structures called solariums at Aix-les-Bains and Vallauris in France and at Jamnagar, Gujarat, in India.

In 1920 Saidman went to the Hospital Cochin and worked with Alexis Pissavy and was involved in X-ray studies of patients under Maxime Ménard.

He build revolving solariums to track the sun, fitted with lenses, and special filters for specific wavelengths to treat patients.

They collaborated with Dr P. M. Mehta to establish a “Neo-Ayurveda Action Committee” in Paris in 1946 under Saidman with members who included Krainik, Monceaux, professor Maxime Laignel-Lavastine, Pierre Delore, Jean Filliozat, Émile Perrot, Lucien Comil, and Guy Laroche.

Saidman (left) with Dr Strauss of Vienna, c. 1932
The Solarium in Jamnagar, India with its rotatable seating area.