Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1903-11-28
New York Herald.)

\N0W IOlh I1cid Aup
Working in experiments together, DR..
George F. Kunz, honorary curator OF
the American Museum of National HIS
tory, and DIR. Charles Baskerville, or
the University of North Carolina, be-
lieve they have made a valuable dis
covery in connection with the myster-
ious substance known as radium.
This discovery is that by mixing rad
ium with natural willemite, pulverized
to a powder, the activity or power OF
the former substance is multiplied a
hundred fold, and probably-for no In
strument has been devised for measur-
ing the increase of the activity-a
thousand fold. That, at least, Is the
Temporary effect of the mixing of the
two substances. Time must tell
whether one will nullify the other Will
emite is a comparatively cheap silicate
Of zinc.
It is possible, also, that there is in
wiIlemite, a substance which is as yet
unrecognized as a distinct element, but
which produces the radio-activity that
has awakened the enthusiasm of the
two experimenters. But thus far 1t Is
taken for granted that the one sub
stance merely stimulates the activity
OF the other.
Glass interferes With Activity
1t is the assertion of DIR. Kunz that
radium without the interposition of
glass is much more highly active. He
further asserts that certain rays of ra-
dium-possibly equivalent to an ultra
violet light ray--do not penetrate and
are retained in the glass.
1t is possible that it is these rays
which cause the glass tubes in which
the radium ordinarily is contained to
turn to a purplish hue. Radium barium
carbonate that will show no perceptible
glow will cause high radio-activity in
a diamond. Fused rock crystal walls
have been made by Tiffany lapidaries,
under instructions from DR.. Kunz, and
he has discovered that radium placed
in these walls loses much less of It's
activity than is the case when it is
placed in glass vial or tube.
Preparations are now being made for
experiments in connection with diseas-
es, several new theories have been adj
vanced and will be tested in the near
future The plans are practically COM
plete for testing the effect of radium
on skin diseases. including growths of
a cancerous nature. Disease cultures
have been prepared and the effect of
radium upon them will be carefully
noted 1t has been suggested that GER
tain disease cultures will disclose a
glow when subjected to the effect of
radium, while other cultures will NOT
be so affected. If this is shown to be
the case a long step will be made in
an exact science.
Experiments With Minerals
In the experiments that have been
carried on in this city recently, more
than seventeen thousand specimens OF
mineral have been used.
The full effect of the mixing of ra
dunn and pulverized willemite was
demonstrated. DIR. Kun2 making no at
tempt to conceal his satisfaction at the
successes accomplished although he
refused to make any prediction as t.
future results
In the photoera piers dark room tff
radium in it's different forms was ex-
hibited. Those present We're unable
to distinguish by sight any object. DR.
Kunz had his materials so arrange
that he could lay his hands on then
when they were needed.
On the bench ne placed a glass tuht
of radium of 10000 power activity, II
a moment it glowed like an incandscen
pencil. Then by it's side was PLACED
a small vial of fused rock crystal, ii
which was a small quantity of TIL
same radium. Immediately the ia
dience of the glass tube passed int
comparative insignificance, the rocl
crystal vial'burning like a point of liv
ing fire.
After a few moments these two spe
cimens of radium We're placed asid
and DR.. Kunz displayed quantity o
radium so weak that only the faintes
glow from it was perceptible. Dl
KunZ announced that he held in pa
per in his right hand quantity of pull
verified willemite which is silicat
of zinc of no great value.
1t was announced that the two powd
ers would be mixed. 1t was done, an
Immediately there was glow tina
filled the entire room, though in
faint manner. Other papers contain
ing the same mixtures were produce
and all glowed in a beautiful manner.
Effect on Valuable Stones
To show the effect of the substanc
on certain gems two beautiful dia
monds were produced. One was blu
stone fourteen and twenty-one thirty
seconds carats in size. The other wa
a black stone sixteen and eleven six
teenths carats in size The two al
worth upward of $25,00O. These dia
monds which were in a pendant wel
placed on solid cutting board trif
more than three inches thick. At fir
they could not be seen in the darkness:
- 4ta ra d;uY, UoS Y,as