The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1909-11-06
RADIOACTIVE HOT SPRINGS

1t is now a well-known fact that the
hot springs of Europe, especially IN
Germany and Austria, most famous for
their curative qualities, are radio-ac-
tive and derive their peculiar powers
from the presence of radium contained
in the ores of uranium and pitehblend
found near them. This was first MOTTO
ed at Joaehimsthal, Bohemia, where the
great silver mines of that name were
worked for three hundred years. The
silver was finally worked out, but the
mine was rich in uranium ores, the OK
ide being used for decorating porcelain,
etc. 1t was from the waste or bi-pro-
duet of this mine that radium was dis
covered a few years ago.
Through discoveries of eminent re
searehers in Misunderstanding cancer
and other disesses-it was found that
cures produced by the springs were
directly traceable to the radioactive
properties of the water. One of the
most famous hot springs of Switzer-
land, Pfefer's, in the state of st.
Gallen, near Ragatz, p~atronized by
monarehs since the 18th century, is abb
solutely neutral, containing no trace of
minerals, but highly radioactive.
In the search for ~pitehblend, which
more than any other mineral carries
radium, it was more generally found
as a vein mineral, in massive form, as
ISOLATED with sulphides of silver, lead,
nickel and cobalt, zine, iron, copper,
a~rsenieal pyrites, ETC. In this form II
is found at Jo~achimsthal, where it oc-
ours in mica as phyllite schist, with
some interbedded limestone. There are
also numerous strong dykes of quartz,
porphyry and later dykes of basalt,
with accompanying tufts.
The ores of the Humboldt range are
identical, especially in the vicinity of
U~nionville. The remarkable cures pro-
duced by the Kyle springs, situated
zeal that place, induced a mining ope-
rator to investigate the matter recent
ly with a view of testing the waters
for radio-aetivity. The springs were
bonded. and tests will be made by the
Smithsonian and other noted universe
ties in America and Europe, with a
view to erecting modern ~convenienees
for treating patients. A representative
of the Silver State interviewed a mum
Der of the most creditable citizens of
Winnemucca, Unionville and Mill City
as to their personal knowledge or ex'
p~erience regarding the springs. AL
were enthusiastic in their praise and
cited cases that seem incredible. A
German citizen, familiar with all the
famous springs of Europe, boldly as
serted that there are no springs In
Europe to compare with them. To
give a list of the wonderful cures a,
these springs-of Nevadans alone
would require more space than this en-
tire paper contains.
While the land embracing the springs
is patented, the new owners will make
ample arrangements for the aceommo-
dation of the poor. Among the propos.
ed improvements will be a fine automo-
bile road to Mill City, about 20 miles
In the valley there are several well
cultivated ranches, which will furnish
fruits, vegetables, poultry and eggs.
The climate cannot be excelled. The
springs are well up to the base of the
mountains in pure air.
If the springs prove to be radio-ac-
tive it will explain the secret of their
phenomenal cures, and thousands of
people in America will seek them in.
stead of going to Europe
The aqueduet railroad of the South
ern Pacific, building north from Los
Angeles to W~innemucca, will no doubt
traverse the valley where the springs
are located, as is is almost an air line
requiring no tunneling and but little
cutting or filing, besides tapping one
of the richest mining districts in the
Stafa