radium container; radium cell
notes: label: Description
content: This brass and glass object is part of an accession of materials connected with Dr. Robert Abbe [b. April 13, 1851; d. March 7, 1928], a surgeon and early proponent of radium therapy. The object's purpose is not known and its connection with Abbe is not confirmed. Some possible uses include a spinthariscope (or part thereof) or a container for holding radium.
label: Description
content: In 1903, Dr. Abbe started experimenting with radium on seeds, animals, himself, and patients, becoming one of the first American physicians to do so. He found success in treating some abnormal growths and cancers, publishing his findings and becoming an authority in the field of radiotherapy. Abbe was a surgeon at St. Luke's Hospital in New York. Near the end of his life, Abbe suffered from the effects of aplastic anemia, likely caused by years of radium exposure, requiring regular blood transfusions.
label: Description
content: Abbe, R., “Radium and Radio-Activity," Yale Medical Journal 10 (1904) p. 436-447.
label: Description
content: Gibson, C., "Robert Abbe 1851-1928," Annals of Surgery 88 (1928) p. 794-797.
label: Description
content: Stark, R., "Robert Abbe: Pioneer in Plastic Surgery," Bull. N. Y. Acad. Med. 31 (1955) p. 927-950.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Medicine
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1993.0262.16
label: catalog number
content: 1993.0262.16
label: accession number
content: 1993.0262
objectType: label: Object Name
content: radium container
label: Object Name
content: radium container
label: Object Name
content: radium cell
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: glass (overall material)