The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-01
RADIUM DEATH
PROBE SLATED.
100 MENACED
Use of Patent Medicine Is
Blamed for Demise of
Ex-GoIf Champ.
USED WATER AS TONIC
Slow Attrition of Bone
Structure Charged by
Expert.
nn urRed Presa

NEW YORK, April death OF
Eben M. Byers. Pittsburgh man
ufacturer and sportsman, from ra-
dunn poisoning induced by pro-
longed consumption Of a patent
medicine containing radium. was
under investigation today by the
New York medical examiner. as it
became known that more than 100
persons are afflicted with similar
form OF poisoning
While Or. Charles Norris, chief
medical examiner, was undertaking
his investigation with an autopsy on
the manufacturers body, DR.. Fred
erick B. Finn, consultant in the
case, informed the press that a
Pittsburgh physio-therapist pre-
scribed the radium water for Byers,
and recommended its use to num-
Der OF other patients.
DR.. Norris. upon completing his
autopsy, said there could be no
doubt that Byers' death was caused
by radium poisoning, and that it
will take two months to enlarge on
the examination to determine exact
~ how it affected him"
Virtually Inactive
Immediate federal investigation
seemed unlikely, according to Chair
man w. E. Humphrey of the federal
trade commission, who explained
that the company which manufac-
tlwed and sold the radium water,
known as "Radithor," virtually was
forced out of business after the
commission had ordered it to cease
disappearing its product.
Or. Finn, director of industrial
hygiene at Columbia university, said
that one other person died last Sep
TENDER as a result of taking radium
water, and that other patients have
been so frightened by that death
they have refused to seek proper
medical attention The disease can
only be halted in its early stages.
The number actually endangered
by the disease may number in the
hundreds for others than patients
.4adyised by the Pittsburgh physio-
therapist have been taking the
treatments.
'Radithor' has been on sale for
seven or eight years, according to
DR., Finn. He said radium poison
ing is almost impossible to diagnose
except in the advanced stages and
after consultation with an expert.
Ex-GOlf Champion
Byers, who was 81, began taking
'Radithor" more than two years
ago on advice of a Pittsburgh
physio-therapist. The former ma
tional amateur golf champion had
complained of pain in his arm and
general rundown condition.
Byers became enthusiastic about
the compound. He took as many as
two and three bottles daily. He told
his friends about it. Several cases
Of twenty-four bottles each were
ordered sent to his residences in
Pittsburgh, Southampton and
Aiken, S. G. Each case was sold for
about $50, and contained about 81
worth of radium.
About year and a half ago, &C
cording to his physicians, Byers lost
the "toned-up feeling" He lost
weight and suffered severe head
aches. He felt pain especially in
his Jaw. He lost several teeth.
The positive diagnosis of radium
poisoning was made a year ago.
"Radithor" was manufactured by
the Bailey Radium Laboratories,
Inc of East Orange, N. j. The head
of the laboratories was listed as DR..
William J. A. Bailey. not named in
American Physicians and Sur
geons.7 the Medical Directory of
New York, New Jersey and Con-
necticut,' or who's Who in Amer
lean Medicine"
Included in Probe
An investigation of radium dial
paint deaths of seven workers in
the plant of the United States ra-
dunn plant at East Orange was pro-
longed to include the Bailey product
Although the inquiry had not been
concluded, the Bailey company
closed its laboratory and ceased adj
vertising or marketing "Radithor.
Two distinct types of so-callec
"radium water" are on the market
DR.. Finn explained today.
"Radithor" was an example of the
first type, which actually is q Solu-
ton OF radium.
The second type is put up in gall
Ion jars which have been lined with
an alleged 'radium ore The sup
posed "ore" emanates alpha par
ticles into ordinary water.
The only benefit, Finn said, to
be derived from such a compound
was identical with that which comes
from drinking large quantities of
ordinary water.
Eats Away Bone
When radium is taken internally,
DR.. Finn said, it is attracted i'm
mediately to the bone structures.
Once imbedded in the bone, it be-
gins to eat away the bone structure.
One gram Of radium emanatcs
100000 pin pricks" against the
bone structure. In Byers' case
about thirty-three and one-third
millionths of gram accumulated
in his bones. This amount, accord
ing to current market values OF
radium, is worth about 1921.
Nothing will reduce effectiveness
OF the attack except the actual
elimination OF the radium. But to
!, eliminate the radium. DR.. Finn
pointed out, 1t is necessary also tc
eliminate q large quantity of the
bone calcium. This elimination
treatment is effective, therefore
only in those cases which have been
detected early.