Gilpin observer., 1914-02-19


and carbonite. In determining the
radioactive value of radium or uran.
1 ium ores. use is made of its proper
, ty OF ionizing gases. In an electro
scope, gold or platinum leaf is first
charged. The sample to be tested,
by its radiations, .ionizes the air max
ing It conductor Of electricity and
allows the charge to leak out, caus-
ing the leaf in the electroscope to
move more rapidly than its natural
fall. The rate Of movement of the
leaf as noted on a graduated scale,
determines the radio-activity of the
sample. The International standard
for the purity of radium was set by
Nine. Curie, and is recognized
throughout the world. Secondary
standards are in possession of the
United States Bureau of Standards
which for small fee determine the
quantity of radium in radium salts.
Radium emanations and rays are
divided into three groups, the alpha,
beta and gamma, which differ in their
velocity and penetrative power. The
alpha and beta rays consist of min
ute particles, electrically charged
and moving with a velocity almost
equal to that of light. The gamma
rays are vibrations in the ether, SIM
liar to X-rays. For their high pene-
trating power, they are used in elm
mating cancer.
The quantity of radium obtained
from a given quantity of carnotite
Gre of average value is one hundred
million fold. That is. the ore is con-
centrated to 100000 part of the
original Our Gilpin county pitch
blendes, containing as they do, much
greater percentages of uranium, are
the more valuable for radium extrac-
ton. In fact, as the writer before
stated, their real value in money
cannot be stated as the ever increas-
ing demand for same, together with
the growing scarcity. places the val
ue at any price that the fortunate
radium bromide will give off two mill
lion times as many rays as the same
quantity of uranium spread over the
same area. At that, radium brom-
ide has but 53.6 per cent radium ele-
ment in it, radium sulphate has 70.2
per cent, and radium carbonate about
79 per cent.
Radium is transmutation product
of uranium contained in our pitch
blende ores. Radium is slowly dying,
as we count time, it is estimated
that in about 5000, 900 900 years, half
of given quantity of uranium will
be transmitted or decayed. In this
process of decay. radium is produced.
Radium itself decays much more rap
idly. half of a given qunatity is gone
or disseminated in 1000 years. In
5000 years seven eighths of it will
have been lost. So that in 10000
years, but one-half OF one per cent
would be in existence. Some thought
for those who contend that this earth
ID Uul live tuOuoohu VI hOiC ySoAo
old. To those who contend geologi-
cally that the earth is more than 20.-
900 years old, unless there was some
source for radium, there would
not be any radium in our country or
anywhere else. The source of radi-
um Is in the uranium, which is con-
tinually regenerating. or decaying. To
state here. a review of the wonder
full success that noted scientists and
physicians throughout the world are
making in combating the ravages of
cancer and other dread diseases
would take volumes and of necessity
be SO technical that the lay mind
would tire. Sufficient to say that
here in old Gilpin county are contain
ed the greatest known deposits of
high-grade uranium found anywhere
In the world. 1t behooves us to awake
to a full realization of the wealth
that is at our doors. not only in ra-
dium. but in gold and silver. which
Is available to depth that is only
limited to the ingenuity of man. In
fact, 1t is reasonable to suppose that
the mines of Gilpin county will new
er be bottomed out in the sense that
the values will peter with depth.