Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-08-27
Of Stars, Men
And Atoms
Notebook Of Science Progress
In Field, Laboratory
And Study
BIZ Thomas r. Henri.

BIZ Thomas r. Henry.
A lost element recreated in the lab
oratory in almost enthusiastically minute
amounts with the use of 100000 volts
of electricity, promises to serve medicine
as a curb on runaway life processes and
constitutes the most colorful triumph
Of the new alchemy made possible by
gigantic atom smashing machines.
The remarkable story has just been
reported to the National Academy of
Sciences by Drs Joseph G. Hamilton
and Mayo H. Solely of the University
Of California.
The substance is element IS. 1t was
one of the original 80 building blocks
of the universe. For half a century
physicists have sought for it in nature
In vain. A few times extremely refined
observations gave debatable hints of its
existence, but in far too minute quanti-
ties and diffuse a state ever to be
isolated II it existed at all, they con-
cluded it must be about the rarest stuff
In creation.
From theory, however, 1t was possible
W ODCdlll q 1dit PiNIulC VI WAAoo ~ WOdiS
be like If it ever were found. 1t would
be. quite similar to iodine. the element
most abundant in sea water, which in
the beginning was one of the essential
constituents of the primeval living cells
and which is necessary for the continu-
ance of life. The physicists also as
Sumed that 1t would be radioactive,
like radium, close to which 1t stood in
the theoretical table of the elements.
There science was against blank wall
until, about five years ago, the trans
mutation of elements, futile dream of
the medieval alchemists, became
reality with the invention at the Uni
versity Of California of the cyclotron and
Of other demonstrating machines at
other institutions BY bombarding atoms
with minute particles at terrific energies
1t was possible to split nuclei so that
they became the nuclei of entirely
different elements
The elusive 49," however, still seemed
hopeless. Calculations showed that
something identical with it might be
produced by scoring direct hits on
iiuSiCii VI dUOIIlS WIFI ALPHA
enthusiastically the nuclei of hell
UNI atoms which constitute the major
part OF the particles shot of by radium-
fired with energies of at least 10000 900
volts.
Completion of a new giant cyclotron
at the University of California made the
attempt possible for the first time this
spring. The result obtained by DR..
Hamilton was essentially what had been
expected. The microscopically minute
amounts Of the missing element obtained
were so close to iodine that it was
called "eka-iodine," or beyond iodine"
Also, as had been expected, it was radio
active. Like radium, it discharged alpha
particles at terrific velocities. Once this
was done it lost its identity as an ele-
ment.
1t had half life" the California
physicists found, of only three DAYS.
That Is, half Of any given quantity of
eka-iodine would disintegrate in that
period. This explained why none of it
ever had been found. All that had been
in the original substance of the earth
had .disintegrated within few days
after the beginning. Any extraordinarily
minute quantities which might still
exist were the result of new creations.
Iodine, 1T has long been known to
Psychologists, is an essential constituent
OF the thyroid gland, the driver of ami
NAL life. Iodine taken into the body
naturally gravitates to the thyroid,
where it is held in chemical combina-
ions. 1t is one of the few heavy ele-
ments that is not Immediately eliminated
by the system. When there is too little
iodine IN the food or drinking water
The thyroid degenerates, causing such
conditions as cretinism, characterized by
physical weakness and feeble-minded-
ness. For this reason city water sup
plies are doctored with iodine.
Another prevalent condition is the
overactive thyroid, due to some ex-
cessive stimulation. The victims literally
burn themselves alive, so greatly does
the increased secretion from the gland
IAN the nres OF life. Up to the present
thls usually has been treated by sur
gerry.
Within the past few months the atom
smashers have produced an Artificial
radlum for just such conditions. They
nave made iodine itself radioactive by
commandment at high voltages. Chemi-
cally this product differs in no respect
from ordinary radium. Minute amounts
OF 1t taken into the system gravitate to
the thyroid. There 1t acts somewhat
after the fashion of radium pills" in
Jected into the flesh, but in this case
.nere are millions of pills" placed in
millions of thyroid cells.
The radiations of radio-iodine. how
ever are not very satisfactory. The
particles 1t emitS, explains DR.. Solely of
the University of California medical
school, are tiny beta rays propelled
with an energy of only 200 900 electron
volts. The eka-iodine emits alpha par
tlcles with energies of more than 1000
OOO volts. DR.. Solely calculates that the
killing power of this radiation is more
than 200 times greater than is that of
raolo-lodlne radiation. Moreover, the
eKa-lodlne Is concentrated in the most
active cells of the thyroid, while radio
Iodine tends to be much more diffuse
Approves Destroyer Aid
Where Needed.
To the Editor of The Star:
As a contribution to one of the noro