Evening star., 1948-12-01
Eve Ailments Treated
By Atomic Beta Rays
At Episcopal Hospital
By George Beveridge

Doctors at Episcopal Hospital are
using the weak Beta rays given
off by atomic disintegration with
dramatic results in a simple treat
ment of many eye ailments which
formerly required surgery for cor
rection.
The value of these rays it that
they destroy certain tissues. Gamma
and X-rays have the same "selec-
tive" qualities of destruction which
makes them valuable in treating
cancer and other growths.
Ordinary radium gives off Gamma
rays, but these are so penetrating
they can be stopped only with about
7 feet of lead. The eye is so sensi-
tive, these rays might cause per-
manent damage to parts of 1t.
Beta rays can be stopped by about
one sixteenth of an inch of lead
Clinic Treatments.
About IA months ago, doctors
opened a Beta Radiation Clinic at
Episcopal. to treat eye tumors, warts
and heavy formations of blood ves-
sels-resulting from number OF
causes-on the surface of the eye
They used Radon, an expensive gas
produced as by product Of radium
which gave off Beta rays. and small
amount of Gamma radiation.
Last March, a new substance
called Radium D, was produced
which, limited radiation almost en-
tirely to the weak Beta rays. One
of the first shipments came to the
Episcopal clinic. doctors said, and
it still is the only one in use in this
area.
Only a tiny particle of the sub
stance is used, enclosed in small
cup-about one-fourth of an inch
in diameter-behind a thin partition
of aluminium. The aluminium end
of the cup is put in direct contact
with the eye, and the rays auto
matically 60 to work.
Exposure Of Seconds.
Radon works faster than Radium-
D, doctors explained. 1t requires an
exposure of only seconds while
usually is exposed for
several minutes. But the new sub
stance, they said, has three big ad-
vantages.
It's safer because of the absence
of Gamma rays. It's much cheaper
and it can be used far longer.
Radon cost the hospital 500 a
day to rent, officials said. Doctors
would receive it by special messen-
ger from New York laboratory
every Friday-when the clinic was
in operation-and return it the
same day. The gas was effective for
only about five days.
Results Called Dramatic.
The particle of Radium-D, on
the otner hand, cost $1,000. But it
can be kept on hand for use at
any time. It has a half life" OF
nearly % years. This means that
after % years, it still will have half
the radiation strength it has now
Series of case histories to show
complete results of the treatment
have not been finished, but doctors
report dramatic results" in many
cases. The radiation removed warts
from eye lids in Is of % cases after
an average of two treatments. for
example.
Some of the most striking results
have been obtained in destroying
pterygia, fibrous growths contain
ing blood vessels, which disfigure
and often affect sight. In serious
cases, the Beta radiation treatment
often. follows operations. Formerly
surgery was the only answer. The
new treatment is painless and leaves
no harmful results.
The two private doctors who man
the clinic treat about 20 patients
every Friday afternoon. They es-
innate that more than 200 patients
have been handled all together
Some of these are INDECENT clinic
patients, but the vast majority are
referred for the special treatment
by private doctors.