HOSPITAL PUZZLED

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 24, 27 July 1929, Page 9

HOSPITAL PUZZLED

DISAPPERANCE OF RADIUM

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evonina Post.")

CHBISTCHUBCH, This Day. Dr. Fouwick, of the Christchurch Hospital, stated yesterday that the hospital authorities are completely baffled over the disappearance recently of some radium needles. Most stringent precautions are exercised in order that radium may not go astray, but there is apparently a loophole somewhere in the system by mean's of which needles have from time to timo disappeared. It now appears quite impossible that they should have reached the destructor. On the disappearance of the third needle, this was the first place that was thoroughly and systematically searched. T.he process lasted six hours, during which time every pound of ashes was examined at least four times. Several methods of examination were used, including the electrical test in which an electroscope is used. The disappearance of the needles still remains a mystery and it is to bo hoped that as the outcome of the present troublo a more secure system of safeguarding radium needles will be devised. The needles are very small objects, resembling an ordinary gramophone needle, which makes them difficult to hairtHe.