Evening journal., 1913-12-27
in
RADIUM FOR
HIS CANCER
Johns Hopkins Specialist Per-
forms Operation Hoped to
Cure Congressman Bremmer
SURGEON USES
CROSS FIRE RAYS

WASHINGTON. Dec s7.-Robcrt
Gum Bremner, Democratic member of
Congress from the Fifth lPassaio) Con-
gressional District of New Jersey, spent
Christmas In a Baltimore hospital on
Thursday with 100000 worth of radium
temporarily imbedded in his shoulder in
the hope that it would destroy a malig-
nant cancer.
Dr. Howard Atwood Kelly, in his pri-
vate sanatorium on EUtaw place. placed
the radium in II tubes coated with rub.
Der. These tubes, each measuring about
two and one-half inches in length and
one.third OF an inch in diameter, were
planted in as many incisions made inethe
cancer.
The tubes were inserted at IL o'clock
Christmas morning, several hours after
the arrival of Mr.. Bremner in Baltimore.
and were removed at II o'clock last
night. The result was carefully observed
by Doctor Kelly today and the tubes will
again be put to work today.
Largest Radium Operation.
This is probably the largest number
OF tubes and the most expensive guam
tity of radium ever used in a single
operation, which j. considered one Of the
most important of recent years.
The radium emits three kinds of rays,
called alpha, beta and gamma. The
alpha and beta nave no value IN cancer
cases. The gamma rays alone produce
the desired results.
Doctor Kelly believes that the treat
mcnt embraced in Yesterdays operation
will result in a degeneration of malig-
nant cells in the cancer in Congressman
fremner's shoulder, will diminish the
mass of the cancer, arrest its growth and
perhaps result in a complete cure.
The purpose of imbedding a num-
Der of the tubes was TO enable the
radium rays to crossfre the entire
mass of the cancer. The gamma rays
which were thus irradiated we're nom
electrified and penetrated more deep
ly than the alpha or beta rays. They
retard vitality and depress the
growth of cancer cells for con-
siderable distance around them.
The operation has to be so per-
formed that the alpha and beta rays
are filtered out leaving only the
gamma rays, which destroy the
malignant grOwths. In the present
instance cocaine was administered to
relieve the patient from pain.
The cancer on the shoulder OF
Congressman Bremner is one of the
most malignant recently brought TO
the attention of medical scientists in
the East. He has suffered from 1t
for scme time. and in the last year
It has growed to such proportions
that it extends over the left shoulder
and almost meets under the arm.
Self Made ScOtchman.
Mr.. Bremner was 80 years old this
month. He is a native of Caithness
Scotland and went TO Canada with
his parents when he was a boy. BE.
fore he was of age he settled in the
United States. In 1895 he became a
newspaper reporter in Paterson, \. j
Three years later he enlisted for the
war with spain. In 1902 he obtained
control of the Passaic Daily Herald
and is its present owner and publish
er. He had not been a candidate for
Office until he was chosen, almost
unanimously, 70 run for Congress
from the Passaic district. being elect
ed by $3.50 Majority in a strong Re
publican community.
Mr.. Brcmner is one OF the most
oopular Of the newer members of the
House, man of splendid talents, and
has borne his pain without murmuT
while mingling among his colleagues ir
the House About seven months ago he
engaged the services OF Dr. a. W. Hor
Uitz. a specialist in cancer treatment
who came 70 this country from Budapest
since then he has somewhat improved.
Doctor Kelly il specialist OF th'
Johns Hopkins University group. He II
one of the philanthropists who recently
bought p claims to the Paradox Valley
sarnotite mines, considered the greatest
radium ore deposits in the world An
nouncement OF the purchase for hu
manitarian purposes was made ON Octo
Der % last by Dr.. Charles /. Parsons, o.
the United States Bureau OF Mines, u
the American Mining Congress in session
in Philadelphia.