Evening star., 1948-08-16

scientific world Is a metal plaque commem-
Grating half forgotten event of IS years ago
which, in the light of everything that has
happened since, may be considered one of the
major developments in modern history
This was the first production at the United
States Bureau of Standards of heavy water.
The hydrogen atoms in its molecules were
exactly twice as heavy as ordinary hydrogen
atoms which make up at least 80 per cent of all
this element left on earth. The nucleus Of the
new atom consisted of proton and neutron.
instead of q single proton. That however, was
some years before the revolutionary discovery
of neutrons by the English physicist, Sir James
Chadwick, and the Bureau chemists were able
to offer no satisfactory explanation of the
phenomenon.
Here, history may conclude, began the atomic
age. There was, of course, at that time no idea
Of the far-reaching implications 1t was
recognized, however, that here was. an unpre-
cedentedly powerful tool for biological research.
Protoplasm is mostly water. 1t evolved in
water. 1t can endure only in water. Mechan-
istically speaking, life might be considered a
complex water solution. Water takes part in all
the phenomena of living. In almost any bio
logical experiment the new heavy water could
be substituted in part for ordinary water and
afterwards recovered almost intact in the body
ITSELF in urine, sweat and breath.
First Atomic Tracer"
Here was the first of the "tracers" by which
an actual living process could be followed as
with a supermicroscope. little goes a long
way, but even this little in the past has been
costly and difficult to obtain. Its production
became major industry in the dark depths
of Norway's Roken, taken over by the Ger
mans when it appeared that heavy water might
play big part in development of an atomic
bomb-the plant later being largely destroyed
by a commando raid.
The value of this heavy water, or deuterium,
in scientific research is greater today than ever
before. 1t is one ii the stable isotopes now
being supplied by the Atomic Energy Commis-
sion to laboratories all over the country. 1t Is
not radioactive, like carbon IA or sulphur IS,
and cannot be followed throughout the course
of an experiment. Its value depends on the
fact that it can be found again, wherever, 1t
has wandered at the conclusion of a biological
process. There is no time element involved.
Deuterium will remain deuterium forever.
Because of this indestructibility the Atomic
Energy Commission follows here, as in the case
of other stable rare isotopes the policy OF
banking and loaning. They are supplied to
SClCutLoIo Will lCelGAAAAdeC 4CQOA CACAVo WltAA
the understanding that they will be returned
to the bank at the conclusion of an experiment.
Synthesis of radioactive water is a possi-
bilty not yet developed. There are two radio
active isotopes among the six forms of oxygen
and one among the three known forms OF
hydrogen. All three Of these are short-lved
and about the most dificult of all the isotopes
to produce.
It seems to me that the talk about hiding q
fireplace is symbolic Of our times, putting the
stress on what seems to someone to be out
side beauty. t..
Ah me. fireplace is a fire place and 1t
should be left one. MARY JUDITH HYDE.
Denies Leprosy Is CONTAGIOUS
To the Editor Of The Star:
In your issue of July n, you printed letter
from one NJ NJ c.. In this enlightened day
and age the ignorance and inaccuracy con-
tanned in this letter are shocking to all Of us,
scientists and patients, who know through re-
search and experience. the exact facts regard
ing leprosy.
Apropos Mrs Joseflna Guerrero, M. M. C.s
principal concern was that the dozens Of people
exposed to Joey" en- route from the Philippines
might contract the disease from her sneeze or
cough. ~
The mode Of transmission Of leprosy Is un.
known, but according to a recent statement by
DR.. H. Windsor Wade, president of the Inter-
national Leprosy Association and medical di-
rector of the Leonard Wood Memorial (Ths
American Leprosy Foundation), Actual OBJ
| servations do not support the once prevalent
idea that the nasal mucous membrane Is the
usual portal of entry" (of the leprosy bacillD i.
M NJ C.. criticizes Attorney General Tom
Clark, for giving special permission to Joey to
enter this country, even going so far as to sug-
gest q Congressional investigation
For NJ NJ C's correct information Attorney
General Clark noted in his announcement that
the United States Public Health Service, which
co-operated with the Department Of Justice In
investigating Joey's case, had advised him that
"the chances of infection from the disease
were negligible"
The u S. p H. s. does not base its statement
on antiquated ideas or superstitions but on
years Of scientific research and practical ex-
perience here at Carville.
It may interest, it will certainly instruct
M M. c. to know that in the 81 years this hos
pital has cared for patients suffering from
| leprosy not .one of the medical and nursing
personnel, or other employees. ever has con-
tracted the disease. Visitors are admitted free
ly IIOu1 I I'LL. w PIN. alu AIC AC4uAAC GU W
take any special precautions They mingls
freely with the patients. In fact authorities
are convinced that the average adult, even In
endemic areas, has q natural immunity to
leprosy. Further, no scientist In more than l45
recorded cases has been able to infect himself
or other human volunteers by attempted in
incubation Of the germ.
MN C.s cruel and untrue letter has caused
great deal Of pain to gallant little joey Guer-
rero. Surely after all she did during the war
tor our boys, the risk Of life she endured 30
many times, she does not deserve such mis-
understanding and ingratitude Is is shown in
M M C's letter. II M. M. c. has any Of the
real courage OF his convictions, such, for In
stance a. our little Joey has shown, why did
he not sign his name to his letter instead Of
hiding behind initials? STANLEY STEIN.
Carville, La Editor, The Carville Star.