The National tribune., 1903-11-12
RADlUM.
The Wonderful New Rle,uens which Wul
Revolutionize the Sciences Of Physics and
Ohemistrv

The Wonderful New Kle,uens which Wul
Revolutionize the Sciences Of Physics and
Chemistry.
All manner Of stories are being put
af1oat In regard to the wonderful new ele-
ment radium, and 1t Is in itself sufficient
ly marvellous to justify almost anything.
1t Is the most startling discovery of the
century, and IL the present century pro-
duces nothing else, the finding Of radium
promises to be sufficient to make it an
era Of great distinction. The present
danger is that it will soon be taken ad-
vantage of by sharpers to exploit upon
the ignorant and credulous schemes either
ruinous to their health or their pockets.
We all know how liquefed air was work
ed by rascals to fleece investors out of
money for stocks in impossible projects.
There are million times more possibili-
ties in radium than were ever claimed for
liquefied air, and the chances for insnar-
ing dupes are multiplied in the same man
ner. Just what radium will do and VIII
not do, nobody short of an angel OF llght
can say at this moment. 1t is something
which exc:tes all scientists to the last de-
gree, for it threatens to revOlutlOnlZe all
force. 1t will certainly subvert the pres
ent theories of chemistry and physics.
Succinctly, radium is a new metal belong
ing ~ what is called the alkaline group.
The chemists begin every classification of
metals with the alkaline METALS" which
are potassium, sodium, cesium, lithium,
and rubidium, with theoretical am
monium." Next in order come the al
kaline earths," the principal of which are
calcium Qime), barium, magnesium, and
strontium. These are all common and
well known, and are extensively used in
the arts and sciences. Radium appears
to belong to q minor section of this class,
and takes it's place between barium and
thorium. Its calculated specific gravity
makes it one of the heaviest of metals;
heavier even than gold or platinum. 1t
is obtained from pitchblende, mineral
found quite extensively in. SaxOny, Bo-
hemia, and Cornwall in Europe, and in
company with a ce-shOwing of exten-
sive capital is already being organized to
work deposits in Colorado, and probably
also the public for investing in its stock.
Pitchblende is also known as uranite, so
called because containing large quantity
of uranium, which is used to produce bril-
liant dyes, particularly tile peculiar yel-
low of uranium glass. 1t has been known
for years that pitchbende gives off light,
and that its capacity was increased by
its purity, and, still more, that when the
oxides of uranium were extracted, they
were much more powerful. Then num-
Der of investigators, among whom were
Prof. and Madame Curie. set to work to
| find the secret of this light-giving power.
They succeeded in isolating two elements,
| which they have named radium and polo
mum, the latter being given by Madame
| Curic in honor of her native country. So
far nothing of special interest has de
| velOped in regard to pOlonium, while the
action of radium has electrified the whole
| world. 1t will send its rays through
plates of metal. sheets of rubber, large
| books, and similar objects. Lead seems
| to be the only metal that will oppose its
passage. In one instance radium bromide
of only 100000 activity was placed in
sealed glass tube inside of rubber ther-
mometer holder, which was tightly
screwed down, so as to exclude any rays.
On this was placed heavy silver tureen,
| one-sixteenth of an inch thick; next. four
rubber plates, and on top of all, heavy
measuring glass filled to a depth of six
inches with water. The rays from the
radum passed through all these obstacles
with sufficient power to make Il diamond
shine brilliantly. Its effects upon living
tissues are being earnestly studied by
physicians with regard to its use in dis
eases. One professor who carried a tiny
| bit of it in his vest pocket. had q sore
produced on his side which took many
weeks to heal. Small quantities in vials
placed upon the backs of small animals
have either killed or badly damaged them
in few hours, while a minute quantity
inserted under the skin has produced
death. 1t is sudden death to microbes
whenever they are exposed TO it. One
eminent physician ventures to believe that
it will be effective in curing consumption.
Prof. Curie says that he would not
venture into n room where there was a
pound of it for fear of the destruction to
his eyesight, and probably his life. The
energy of radium is calculated upon a
basis of the radio-activity Of metallic
uranium as a unit. Much of the radium
now being exhibited is a mixture, and has
an activity as low as 80 or 40. while one
specimen has an activity Of 100000, and
it is claimed that an activity of 100000
can be readily obtained. Radium chloride
of the activity of 240 is now selling at
$50 an ounce. That of the activity of
! 100000 brings about S64 500 per ounce.
| The American Museum of Natural His
| tory of New York has ordered 100 milli-
grams, which will cost it $500, or at the
rate of $19S,O00 an ounce. This will
have an activity of 100000, and repre-
sents all that can be obtained from ton
| Of pitcbhIauda