Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-11-09
Noted Rddium Scientist
Pays Visit to University
(By Dr. John Id. clnrkl

DR.. Charles l.. Parsons, chief OF
the division Of mineraloey OF tn,
United States bureau Of mines and
secretary OF the American Chemical
society, was a recent visitor at the
university.
Extraction OF RadIum.
DIR. Parsons came 10 Albuquerque
from Colorado, where he has been In
speeding and supervising the work Of
extraction OF radium from the carno-
title ores OF Colorado. Several at
tempts have been made to have con-
gress establish works in this country
for extracting and conserving for
America the smail amount OF radium
which we possess. Such efforts were
not successful. and through the ef-
forts Of DR.. Parsons private and
phIlanthropic assistance has been
given 70 the work, aud through the
co-operation OF the United States de-
partment Of interior the opportunity
for working the Colorado field has
Just been secured. and successful ex-
traction Of radlum has begun. the en-
tire product being taken by two ply
sielans In a large hospital in Balti-
more. At present these surgeons are
In possession OF 1900 milllgrams, or
about one-twentieth Of an ounce OF
radium bromide. valued at approx
mately $4,000.
Curing Cancer.
By the use Of this quantity Of ra-
dium these two specialists have sue
cceded within the last six months.
and particularly within the last two
months. In curing absolutely certain
forms OF cancer. DR.. Parsons stated
that In one case cancer in the throat
was choking TO death a patient, and
that death was looked for within one
hour. The prompt application OF this
large quantity of radium Immediately
removed all distress. The treatment
continued for an hour or so. and the
cancer entirely disappeared within
two days. In another case a growth
on the mouth. face and throat OF
patient was so bad that the patient
took his food through a tube and
wrote all his wants on a piece OF pa
per. being unable to speak. This pa /
tent was given the radium treatment. 4
which caused the cancer TO disappear
within a few days, and the patient
was discharged from the hospital In
three weeks.
Early Failures to Cure.
While work with this large guam
lily Of radlum has only started. and
while sufficient time has not yet
elapsed to permit very positive state
nents to. be made. II appears that all
'orms OF the round ceiled sarcoma
'ield at once to proper radium treat
nent and that fibroid tumors and
readily suceumb TO RAJ
lium. Early failures to cure cancer
" means OF radium seem to have =
,een due to want OF sufficient guam
ity Of the radio active material
Seeking More Radium. /
Dr. Parsons hopes that the work
which Is. under his direction may re- /
rams Of radium within the next
hree or four years. This is about !
Dur or five times the amount now |
4 possession OF the Baltimore sur /
cons. e /
Slight Loss 10 Radium. q
As radium loses only one-half of {
S strength in 1000 years. the pro- |
uction Of this amount of radium can |
.ad directly to the cure Of thousands Il
cases Of cancer. The radium which i
at present in Baltimore is being a
sed continuously day and night. and o
he number OF patients in waiting for c
'eatment is exceedingly large. Fl
Fees for the raGium treatment t,
ave varied from $1,000 to no charge G
all. fully one-half Of the cases h
Gated having been charity ones. p
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