New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-14
SAYSRADIUM CURED THEM
MORTON'S CANCER CASES.
DR.. Kunz Makes Radium act on
$50 900 Diamond.

A lecture on radium and actinium was given
last night before the Technology Club. of New
York at the operating rooms of Dr. William
James Morton, No. 10 East Twenty-eighth-st..
by Dr. George Frederick Kunz, the gem expert.
DR.. Morton, who is professor of eleotro-therapeu-
ties of the ost-Graduate Medical School and
Hospital, also talked the treatment of dis
eases by the X-ray, radium and ultraviolet
rays
DIR. Kunz first told of the discovery of radum
in Paris, and said that though many had de-
clared the discovery accidental, scientific men
always knew about what they. were doing or
trying to do. DR.. Kunz first told of the many
interesting qualities of pitchblende taken from
Pribram, Austria, which had, ne explained,
many of the peculiar qualities of radium. tiny
specimen of actinium was shown. it also having
many of the properties possessed by radium. 1t
was sent to him from Paris by NJ. and Nine
Curie, and is said to be the only specimen in the
country.
Then the room was darlened. after Dr. Kunz
had taken from his pocket small piece of
radium, about half the size OF bird shot. 1t
of 100000 activity, he said. and cost sew
eral months ago nearly $500.
The radium in glass tube and the tube
in a slightly larger one of rubber. DR.. Kunz
took from an inside pocket the "Tifranyite dia-
at about $4,000 Diamonds, he explained were
peculiarly susceptible to the activity of radium.
He then held the little rubber tube about two
inches from tine diamond, and it glowed like
phosphorus The radium next placed in a
larger rubber tube. then inclosed in q brass
tube fully third of an inch thick, and finally
in heavy section of lead pipe, but no sooner
was the lead pipe containing the radium placed
near the diamond than 1t Immediately glowed
like a tiny incandescent light. 1t would just as
easily. DR.. Kunz said, penetrate through foot
Of solid iron. The diamond was finally placed IN
a glass of water, where it shone beautifully.
Dr. Kunz next showed how the diamond would
glow in much the same manner when placed
near the pitchblende, actinium helium, the
metal which some scientists think may bring
about transmutation of metals. The lombard
ment' of radium finally shown by means
of the "spnthariscope,' and 1T looked like a tiny
Roman candle throwing off n myriad OF sparks.
The 'spinthariscope" is an instrument invented
by Sir William Crookes TO make visible certain
effects of the radiation from radium.
DR.. Kunz said he thought that in time radium
of an extremely high activity would be made,
perhaps OF 10000 activity, but as yet II could
not be had. AT the present prices an ounce or
radium of 1,OO0,OO0 activity would be worth
over S1.O00,OO0. but he thought in time 1T would
be much cheaper.
treatment. Often disease cured. he said,
without assistance, and he told OF cures he had
erected by stopping all IneulclneS. Inere was
he also said, tendency for purely physical
treatment The X-ray had accomplished much
in skin diseases, he said, and that IL was
known that consumption could be cured by sim
ply sleeping out OF doors. every medical man
was anxious to take up any purely physical
treatment.
Dr Morton showed n number OF tubes of
water. in which We're smaller tubes OF radium. OF
1900 activity.
To the patient quinine given, and then the
water containing the activities OF the radium.
water with the radium eXcitation, and it's
beneficial results were evident. That the water
would absorb the excitation and hold 1t, DR..
Morton said, was certain. Placed in the dark
the water would glow. showing the activities In
IL. AS matter of fact, DR.. Morton said. il was
really liquid sunshine" and in this manner he
accounted for the so-called medical qualities OF
many springs. Activities OF radium had been
found in the water of the springs at Bath. Eng
land. and the curative power was doubtless due
in all springs to some such agent.
The idea Of using water in which emanations
from radium were caught was suggested last
year by British investigator. Mr.. Soddy.
DR.. Morton announced five cures of cancer
by radium, and exhibited bellshaped glass,
where the smaller tubes OF radum OF about
1000 power activity. could be placed
the flesh affected and in some instances
cures had come with ease. Others proved stub
born. but all were helped.
DIR. Morton said. in ending, that when the &C
tivities of radium grew greater and the prices
correspondingly smaller, he thought mora
wonderful cures would result from the of the
radium-