Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-15
nY THoMAs z. HENRY.

HOSPITAL for the sick gods of
~ ancient Egypt is being conduct
"A ed at the Bureau of Standards.
Here experiments are being
conducted to restore to health
Isis, Osiris, Horus, Sch, Ra and their
COMPANION dieties, chemically Ill with
malignant patina, This is a malady to
which gods are especially susceptible in
their declining years. These are very
old gods indeed, ranging In age from
1000 to 5000 years
Malignant patina is otherwise known
as bronze disease. One of Its symptoms
is the familiar verdigris, which eats
away objects containing copper. For
wears 1t has threatened the eventual de-
struction OF the very ancient Egyptian
and Babylonian specimens in the Ma
tional Museum.
Moisture Causes FIakIng.
The bronze images of the old gods
remained for thousands of years buried
in the dry Egyptian sands. When they
were 6ug up they were OF dull brown
color, which indicated perfect health.
But as soon as they were brought to
moist climates and placed on exhibition
the first signs appeared Of the disease
which threatened eventually to destroy
them altogether.
Moisture from the air, it was ex-
planned at the National Museum, pene-
trates the bronze and chemical COM
pounds are formed with the copper.
This appears on the surface as q green
or blue rust. The copper becomes brit
tie and begins to fake of.
Hitherto the only method of treating
the gods was by surgery, scraping OF
the verdigris. This did not get at the
underlying cause. and in a few months
the green rust would reappear. The
images were being robbed of their cop
per, and details of their structure were
being lost by the taking process. II q
lacquer was placed over them, it was
found, the malignant process still went
on in the body of the object. The only
way to save them was to keep them in
an absolutely dry place, which would
prevent exhibiting them.
Now the collections are being treated
by what Is known as the cauStic cathode
process, first invented in Germany p
few years ago and now being developed
by Frank M. Settler. assistant curator
OF archaeology, and DR.. William Blum,
Bureau Of Standards physicist. The
bronze god is placed in glass jar filled
with sodium hydroxide, through which
passes an electric current. The object
itself forms the cathode.
Images Fully Restored.
This method, Mr. Settler said, not
only removes the green rust better than
it can be done with a knife, but puts
the copper molecules back where they
belong. Thus the god is restored in
stead Of merely renovated Whether
| the treatment viii have any effect in
preventing further attacks Of the bronze
! disease is unknown. It can be repeated
as often as necessary, so Isis, Osiris and
| the rest are practically assured OF inn
mortality. Otherwise. they would have
been completely destroyed In few more
| centuries, at the most.
The caustic cathode treatment, Mr..
| Settler said, also brings out details
| hitherto unknown. The ancient artists
| In bronze strove to make their images
1 lifelike with minute facial lines. strands
Of hair and other details which have
become completely lost through the
ages. After the electric bath they APP
pear again almost as sharply as when
| they left IT, hands OF the sculptor.
Interested primarily In the preserva-