Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-13
AMERICAS NEW WEALTH OF RADIUM
ny FREDERIC J. uAsIlIN

w SlilNCIlcN. -. -, March 1.-THE
European demand. which used TO take
most Of our radium away from us is
largely cut of by the war and for
tho first time American scientists and
physicians have considerable supply
or this most precious and interesting
of all substances. y hospital in Bal
timore has the largest quantity Of ra-
dunn in tho United states. and a New
York institution has the next largest
amount Many physicians arc taking
advantage OF the opportunity 10 obtain
a supply for their own use
y center for the measurement OF ra-
dunn in America Is the government
bureau OF Standards at washington.
Many purchases o! the substance arc
sent there to bc tested, as arc also
numerous devices for the production
and use OF radioactive waters.
Handling and testing radinn arc
among the most delicate and dinicult OF
scientific processes. Radium is so in
crcdibly valuable in proportion TO its
bull; that 100000 worth OF il might
easily fall through & very small crack.
y glass tube OF radium that looks like
Il bic q. fine straw. shorter than a pin
ana containing about nc-half a grain
OF radium is worth $4,000 AT the cur
rent price OF $40 per millipram.
How Rndium II Handled.
II requires great care to test these
'l'S lhp'S N'I1 Ildl'l!ai t!ldt ~
e hundred times more precious in pro-
portion TO its weight than diamonds
When received they arc slowed in
safes which are carefully guarded.
Each glass tube or radiuu is iuciosed
in Il silver tube. which is Enclosed in
a lead tube. which is put in leather
case All OF these coverings arc ncccs-
sary, not only to prevent the loss OF
the radium, but 10 guard whatever
comes In contact with the package
from the penetrating energy Of the ra-
diuIn r"diationS. enc -. the govern
rnent experts on radiu,n handles thesc
little tubes. when they are exposed.
with tiny tonss made for the purpose.
About Two years ago he held one Of
them for u few minutes in his bare
fingers. He felt nothing at tho time.
nor for moro than a week aftcrwar4.
Then the peculiar radium burns be
gan to make their appearance. The
skin cracked and slourhed on, and the
wound required over three months to
heal
The amount OF radium IN a tube is
determined by means Of an apparatus
OF fairy dclicacy. known as an cleo
,roscopc. The tubo OF radiun TO be
measured is placed at Il suitable dis
lance free the instrument and the
rate OF motion OF sensitive bit OF
gold foil, observed through mi
cTuScopc is determined by means OF
stOpwatch. Then this radium IS re
moved ana a radiUm standard OF the
bureau is put in its place and the rate
OF fall OF the gold foil is again deter
mined. From these measurements tho
amount or radium in the tube undo:
test IS calculated. the amount in the
standard being known.
The radium STANDARD OF the bureau
! is a small glass tube containing pure
radium chloride Through the cour-
lacy nT Ina " IA ~ r,tt
was prepared especially for the United
States from pitchblcndc mined at ST
Joachinsthal. in Austria. This stand
ard has been compared directly with
the radum standard at Vienna and
with the international ralium stand
ard at Paris. This standard contains
1914 milligrams OF radinm and cost
the bureau Approximately $1,000.
Accurate Tests Easily Made.
In this way radium applicators
which are intended TO be used in the
cure Of cancer, may easily be tested
and the purchaser given an accurate
statement of the amounts OF radium
contained in them. y far more per-
| picking problem is presented TO the
bureau in the numerous radio active
! pharmaceutical preparations, which
are submitted to them for testing.
! Many manufacturers are takinG ad-
vantage of the popular interest in the
new substance to put forward all sorts
| OF medicines and devices containing
| the magic word, ''radium."
Typical of the mechanical devices
| offered is IL radio glove. which is in
| tended to cure rheumatism Of the hand.
! it consists OF three compartments. two
| of which are filled with reddish earth
| which is believed to he Il radium ore
| The radiationS from this material en-
tcrS the hand when the glove is worn.
! Cans Of "rado-earth." which arc 10 be
! made into plasters for outside appli-
cation, have also been sent in. Some
| OF these devices contain very appre-
| ciable amounts OF radun. others con-
| tain mere trace.
Tho Bureau OF Standards can only
| test these preparations and devices and
| report upon their radio-activity. It is
| not within its jurisdiction to express
| an opinion OF their therapeutic value.
Most OF them contain at least n small!
! amount OF radium and show some
| radio activity. II is believed, however.
| that many OF them have not enough
| radio-activity to be OF real value. ana
| that they have done a great deal TO
| destroy faith in tho really remarkable
| powers OF radium.
Manufacturing Radium Waters.
Tho demand for radtum waters has
l also called forth an abundant supply